NOVELTY - A product comprises: at least one densified biomass particulate having a smooth, non-flakey outer surface and containing no added binder, where the densified biomass particulate is comprised of several pretreated lignin-coated plant biomass fibers which contain a trace amount of base from pretreatment of the fibers.    USE - In fermentation for producing a sugar-containing stream; and in a solid material useful in construction (all claimed). Also used in fuels for biomass-burning stoves or boilers; and in animal feed. The solid material is useful in fiberboard or extruded fibrous building materials, and in electricity generating applications.    ADVANTAGE - The densified biomass particulate has an increased resistance to deformation, an increased hardness, an increased resistance to degradation, and/or an improved shelf life, as compared with a densified biomass particulate containing added binder. Thus, the product is more resistant to stress and is less brittle as compared to a binder-containing densified biomass particulate. The densified biomass particulate is at least 21% harder with at least 20% less variability in hardness as compared to the densified biomass particulate containing added binder. The product comprises densified biomass particulates of a given number, where the densified biomass particulates have an increased flowability, and/or a higher bulk density, as compared with densified plant biomass particulates of the same given number containing added binder; has a bulk density up to 10 times greater than a bulk density of loose plant biomass of the same given mass; has a bulk density up to 5 times greater than baled plant biomass having the same given mass; and has a bulk density of 2-5 times greater than loose plant biomass of the same given mass which has been compressed to occupy a volume up to 50% less than an original volume. The densified biomass particulate has an increased gross caloric value as compared with a densified biomass particulate containing untreated plant biomass fibers. The densified biomass particulate burns 4.8% more efficiently as compared with a densified biomass particulate containing untreated plant biomass fibers. In the product, a given mass of densified biomass particulates has a reduced amount of fines as compared with densified biomass particulates of the same given mass containing untreated plant biomass fibers. When the product is used in fermentation for producing a sugar-containing stream, the fermentation rates are improved as compared to fermentation rates achieved using non-densified plant biomass. Additionally, the product does not contain a binder. This provides significant costs savings during production, leading to a product which is not only environmentally green but highly economical and transportable, including transportation by conventional means.