Abstract: Disclosed is a tubular packaging material for sausage casings, comprising a carrier tubing comprised of cellulose hydrate and containing in its wall from about 5 to 12% by weight of water and from about 18 to 28% by weight of a plasticizer; and a coating on the inside and on the outside of the carrier tubing of a water-insoluble heat-cured synthetic condensation product wherein the carrier tubing is characterized by a swelling value in the range from about 80 to 120%, and the tubular packaging material, after soaking in water at a temperature between about 40.degree. to 50.degree. C. for a period of about 30 minutes and subsequent cooling to about room temperature, is characterized by dimensions in the wet state which are 2 to 6% greater than those before the soaking in water. Also disclosed are methods for preparing the packaging material.