Abstract: A composite material which is suitable as a wall covering comprises a substrate layer that is permeable to water vapor, such as a nonwoven web material made from cellulose and synthetic fibers, and that is coated, preferably extrusion coated, with a plastics material. In one embodiment the plastics material comprises an olefin polymer, olefin copolymer or blend of olefin (co)polymer and a particulate filler, e.g. calcium carbonate or a mixture thereof with titanium dioxide. In another embodiment the plastics material is a microporous breathable polymer film or a monolithic breathable polymer film.