This paper reviews the use of some of the new technologies that may be implemented in bio-based adhesives, e.g. carbohydrate polymers, proteins, tannins, lignins, and vegetable oils.

In order to take a part of the market share, an adhesive should have low production costs, fulfil the environmental and health standards and give better properties than conventional synthetic adhesives. For large-volume wood products such as chipboard, it is essential to develop adhesives that enable the product to be cost competitive. Bio-based adhesives that are available and affordable for the wood industry suffer from three main problems: low moisture resistance, low reactivity and poor adhesive properties, and in several cases they are expensive compared to synthetic adhesives.