For the most part, starch is used as binder for pellets. However, it is more ecnomically effective and energy efficient to use no binder at all. The use of binders add to costs and lowers the calorific value of the final pellets.
In contrast, biomass components such as hemicellulose and lignin can be depolymerised through low temperature and moderate pressures to bind biomass particles into pellets. This is approach is more cost effective.
Alternatively, some studies in literature has proposed the use of polyethylene or plastics as binders using low temperatures to bind biomass into biopellets. Hope this helps with your research.