A swellable polymer fibre is produced by wet spinning 105 an aqueous dope solution 102 containing glycol or lecithin. The dope is spun into a coagulation bath 106 and then drawn 114 through another coagulation bath 118. The polymer is preferably a polysaccharide or hydrocolloid forming polymer, especially pactin, alginate, psyllium, carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), konjac, aloe vera or chitosan. The preferred dope includes 0.05-10 wt% 1,2-propane diol, 0.05-10 wt% L-α-lecithin and an antimicrobial metal, especially silver based species. The coagulation baths are preferably also used to add antimicrobial metal, especially zinc or copper based species. The fibres are used in wound dressings.
