Recent developments in bio-based adhesives from renewable natural resources

Wood-based panels play an important role in the furniture and decoration industries worldwide. However, the adhesives used in the manufacture of those panels are a subject of concern. Therefore, the aim of this study is twofold: (i) to critically analyze the available reports on the formulation of bio-based adhesives for the manufacture of wood panels, evaluating the different renewable raw material options, and (ii) to identify the advantages, disadvantages and difficulties encountered that hinder further development. For this purpose, the Methodi Ordinatio was used to assist identifying high impact research on the topic, and the VOSviewer software was used for analyzing the co-occurrence of keywords. Visual graphs were used to discuss the main research themes, type of study, publications per year, and publications per journal. This served to draw on the main aspects of the referenced body of literature. This review provides a rationale for showing the suitability of the methodological approaches and research designs used, as well as the production of bio-adhesives under the premises of synthesis routes, techniques and procedures. In view of the potential development of bio-adhesives with the prospect of market implementation, two approaches are essential to ensure a step forward in their development at full scale, namely techno-economic analysis and the assessment of the environmental profile associated with the production of bio-adhesives based on the life cycle assessment methodology.