Abstract: A sheet material is produced by pressing to sheet form in the presence of water a material derived from a plant of the type Beta Vulgaris (sugarbeet and beetroot). Fresh plant material can be used as well as plant material already used for sugar production. The plant material preferably has a particle size of 0.1 to 10 mm. The sheet material may be water soluble or water insoluble the latter condition being achieved by mixing with the plant material a dialdehyde, such as glyoxal, dialdehyde starch or other bivalent substance capable of reacting with hydroxyl groups or by heat treatment or a combination of both. The degree of water solubility of the sheet material can be controlled in this way. The sheet material can be expanded by thermal shock treatment.

Abstract: A method for producing tobacco in calendered foil form from a mixture of pre-comminuted tobacco, a powdered cellulose derivative binder, water and an organic solvent in which the solvent is mixed with the dry mixture of binder and tobacco to swell and moisten the binder, then the water is added and mixing continued to produce a homogeneous granular mass which is calendered into a smooth continuous foil. The solvent contains a liquid which boils below 100.degree.C. (a lower alcohol, ketone, haloalkane, ester or ether) and a liquid which boils above 100.degree.C. (a polyhydric alcohol or potassium lactate solution). The homogeneous granular mass can be rolled into a foil on a single three-roll mill or calender.