Process for the manufacture of consolidated shaped structures of cellulose hydrate

A process for the preparation of a cellulose hydrate moulding which comprises

• a. treating a cellulose hydrate moulding while in the gel state, for a period within the range of from 10 seconds to 20 minutes, with an aqueous liquid having a pH value of less than 7 and having dissolved therein at least one plasticizer, a chemical cross-linking agent comprising at least one cyclic urea compound having at least 2 N-methylol groups and being present in an amount of 0.5 to 15% relative to the weight of the plasticizer solution, and at least one cross-linking catalyst selected from the group consisting of an acid and an acid salt,
• b. drying the moulding to a residual water content of from 8 to 12% by weight, and
• c. heating the moulding at a temperature within the range of from 100.degree. to 150.degree. C for a period of from 30 seconds to 20 minutes.