Abstract: A thermobondable bicomponent synthetic fiber (8,14) with a length of at least about 3 mm, adapted to use in the blending of fluff pulp for the production of hygiene absorbent products, the fiber comprising an inner core component comprises a polyolefin or a polyester, the sheath component comprises a polyolefin, and the core component has a higher melting point than the sheath component, and a process for producing said fiber. The sheath-and-core type fiber is preferably made permanently substantially hydrophilic by incorporating s surface active agent into the sheath component. The long bicomponent fibers (20) form a strong supporting three-dimensional matrix structure (20,24) in the absorbent product upon thermobonding.