The gas side controlled mass transfer coefficient of an easy to make packing, with stamped horizontal lamellae, designed for operating at extremely low liquid superficial velocity, between 0.04 and 1 m(3)/m(2) h is investigated. The absorption of SO2 in sodium hydroxide water solution is used as a model process. Based on the obtained experimental data, an equation for calculating the gas side controlled mass transfer coefficient, with deviation of +/- 8% is presented. The comparison between the new packing and different highly effective packings shows that the new one has lower pressure drop at the same specific area and mass transfer coefficient, respectively higher mass transfer coefficient at the same pressure drop and specific surface. Of all compared highly effective packings, only the crossed strips packing, quite difficult to produce, has close, yet higher, pressure drop at similar specific surface area and volumetric mass transfer coefficient. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.