A filter element (10) having a supporting body (11) around which a filter
medium (12) is wound. The filter medium (12) is a weldable material and
is sealingly affixed to the supporting body (11) two radial weld seams
(18) and/or a longitudinal weld seam (19). The welding of the filter
medium (12) onto the supporting body (11) eliminates the need to produce
prefabricated tubes of filter medium, and enables the filter medium to be
processed directly from a roll.