Researchers at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) have developed a high-performance bio-based adhesive derived from mistletoe berries, capable of bonding materials like wood, metal, and Teflon and reactivating with heat. The innovation, published in Advanced Materials in 2026, could revolutionize electronics recycling and space technology but remains limited to lab-scale production.
The adhesive, created by Prof. Oliver Lieleg and his team at TUM, uses a natural sugar mixture from mistletoe berries combined with tannic and malic acids. Unlike many bio-based adhesives, it avoids petrochemicals and achieves shear strengths over 10 megapascals, comparable to industrial structural adhesives. Many bio-based adhesives are either not strong enough or require elaborate chemical processing,
said Dr. Ufuk Gürer, first author of the study. Our approach uses a natural raw material with exceptional adhesive properties and works with comparatively simple ingredients.
Nature-Inspired Bonding Mechanism
The formulation mimics how mistletoe seeds use a sticky substance to attach to host trees. Tests showed it bonds birch wood, stainless steel, aluminum, and even Teflon, a material typically difficult to adhere. The adhesive maintains performance at -150°C and can be detached by heating to 90°C, a feature that could simplify repairs and recycling of electronic devices. The mistletoe berry makes use of molecular building blocks and mechanisms which, in combination with the additives selected by us, are responsible for very strong adhesion,
Lieleg explained.
The team highlighted potential applications in space technology, where adhesives often require mechanical fasteners due to cryogenic challenges. The material’s reusability could also reduce waste. However, large-scale production remains a hurdle. At present, the starting material is still obtained by processing mistletoe berries,
Gürer noted. In the long term, we want to transfer these principles to industrial manufacturing processes by exploring ways to produce the key adhesive components independently of the plant and make the process scalable.
Sustainability and Industry Challenges
The adhesive aligns with sustainability goals by avoiding petroleum-based components. Yet, its current reliance on mistletoe berries limits scalability. Researchers are exploring synthetic alternatives to the plant’s molecular building blocks. The study, published in Advanced Materials, outlines a roadmap for industrial adaptation but acknowledges the need for further research.
While the technology shows promise, commercial viability depends on overcoming production challenges. The team’s next steps include isolating and synthesizing the key adhesive components, a critical step for industrial adoption. For now, the adhesive remains a laboratory breakthrough with potential to reshape industries reliant on durable, eco-friendly bonding solutions.
Key Quotes and Research Details
Our approach uses a natural raw material with exceptional adhesive properties and works with comparatively simple ingredients,
said Dr. Ufuk Gürer, first author of the study.