Abstract: The process selectively absorbs hydrogen sulphide from gases containing hydrogen sulphide and carbon dioxide by contacting the gas with an aqueous solution of alkanolamine in an absorber column containing a structured packing consisting of a number of corrugated plates arranged parallel to the column axis. The corrugations are angled to the column axis at an angle between 20.degree. and 70.degree. and run in opposite directions on adjacent plates. The structured packing effects a lower absorption of the carbon dioxide in the solvent than Pall rings or sieve trays so that only a small amount of carbon dioxide is co-absorbed with the hydrogen sulphide.