US Patent 4,702,264 assigned to R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company. Whole leaf tobacco including stem is shredded and contacted with a binding agent in dry form. The essentially dry mixture is shear agitated in the presence of moisture less than about 30 percent, based on the total weight of moisture, binding agent and tobacco. The divided tobacco is subjected to the high shear agitation in the presence of sufficient moisture to provide for activation of the binding agent. The sheared mixture is passed through a roller system to provide compressive treatment to the mixture. The processed mixture is further formed into a sheet-like shape. Tobacco material can be provided using low amounts of binding agent, using energy efficient processing steps, and without waste of tobacco material.