The moisture resistance of friction-welded wood joints can be improved by applying bio-based bonding additives. Several biomolecules including tannic acid, organosolv lignin from hardwood, kraft lignin from softwood, and derivates thereof, were investigated regarding their applicability as bonding additives in the friction welding process. Welding with kraft lignin showed significantly increased moisture stability after 24 h water immersion. An average wet bond strength of 1.5 MPa compared to 0.38 MPa of untreated spruce was obtained. Modification of kraft lignin through succinylation, acetylation or depolymerisation led to no further improvement in moisture stability. Depolymerised kraft lignin resulted in an even higher delamination rate of the samples during water immersion than untreated samples. Structural analysis of the lignin variations by FTIR-ATR, GPC and P-31 NMR in combination with thermal analysis by TGA and DSC showed the impact of various structural and chemical features on the thermal behaviour and intermolecular interactions of the applied lignin.