Melamine amino trimethyl phosphate (M-AT) has been mixed with bio-based starch, chitosan, or sodium lignosulfonate (SL), and used to prepare an intumescent flame retardant (IFR) vinyl acetate-ethylene copolymer emulsion (VAE), which might be used for the formulation of adhesives, coatings, etc. The goal was to meet the performance requirements especially with respect to flame retardance and mechanical properties. The flammability of VAE adhesives was assessed using limiting oxygen index (LOI), UL-94 vertical burning, and cone calorimetry tests (CCT). The presence of 30 wt% of the M-AT/SL compounds (mass ratio of M-AT to SL was 3:1) in VAE polymer brought a 73% reduction in peak of heat release rate (139.2-37.1 kW/m(2)) in CCT. The LOI was increased to 31.5 from 20, the UL94 grade was upgraded to V-0 (sample thickness: 5 mm). The formation of bubble-shaped char layer can be promoted by polyphosphoric acid and benzenesulfonic acid along with ammonia and sulfur dioxide, which generated by the thermal decomposition of synthesized M-AT and SL during combustion of the polymer. In addition, the incorporation of 30 wt% M-AT/SL compounds in VAE matrix leaded to a 56% and 40% increasement in tensile strength and elongation at break tests, respectively compared to the pure one. This work offers a green and novel method for the production of high-performance VAE adhesives with fire resistance properties