environmentally friendly biopolymer adhesives are described , wherein the adhesives comprise biopolymer particles , more preferably starch microparticles , and most preferably starch nanoparticles , and their aqueous dispersions . applications for the biopolymer particle adhesives are described , that are environmentally friendly alternatives to petroleum based synthetic adhesives . the biopolymer particle adhesives provide are biodegradable as well as repulpable , and thus provide bio - based recycling - friendly alternatives to synthetic adhesives derived from petroleum resources .