Abstract: The invention to which this application relates is apparatus and a method for use in the preconditioning, processing of a material mixture and forming of end products from the processed material mixture which includes fibres such as cellulose fibres so as to allow the end products including the same to be formed in an efficient and controllable process.

Abstract: The invention relates to the provision of an article which includes a quantity of defibrillated cellulose fibres, in which, in certain embodiments, the fibres can be used to form substantially the entire article by the cellulose fibres acting as self bonding agents such as for example in the formation of heating briquettes which can be ignited to create a heating and/or flame effect. In another embodiment, a plastics material can be incorporated into the article with the cellulose fibres acting as a matrix in which the plastics material is held.