FIELD: manufacture of common paper and cardboard. SUBSTANCE: composition is prepared by mixing water, granules of unmodified and ungelatinized starch, cellulose ether, fibrous materials and substantially homogeneous optional inorganic mineral filler dispersed in composition. Composition has ultimate from about 2 kPa to about 5 kPa. Fibrous material has length to thickness ratio exceeding 10:1 and is substantially homogeneously distributed throughout composition. Composition is molded into sheets by passing then between one or plurality of heated rolls to prepare crude sheets. When heated, cellulose ether forms envelope onto external surface of sheet and starch granules stick to rolls as starch further becomes gelatinized. Starch and cellulose ether form bonding sheet matrix in which fibers are dispersed and optionally inorganic filler. Various products are made from sheets, more particularly containers for foodstuffs and beverages. The resulting sheets have properties which are not inferior to those from cardboard, plastic material or metal. Manufacture of such sheets are economical and ecologically safe. EFFECT: improved properties of the composition. 77 cl, 10 dwg, 65 ex, 25 tbl
