Abstract: A packing element for a fluid-fluid, fluid-solid, contacting de-entrainment or reaction apparatus is made from wire using two or more parallel wires which are loosely twisted together, the twisted bundle then being wound into a helix, and the helix then being twisted about a second pair of heavier gauge wires which form a core, so that the individual loops of the helix are spaced helically about the central core, the individual wires being slightly separated from one another to form gaps which can be bridged by a liquid, and encourage capillary flow so as to wet the whole of the packing area.