Key message The leaf and bark extract of Trema orientalis has antioxidant and antibacterial properties. Its bark contains considerable amount of tannin and showed potential for leather tanning. The wood of this species is an excellent source of pulp production. Trema orientalis L. is a fast growing tree in tropic and sub-tropic regions whose leaf, bark and root extract has traditionally been used in therapeutic purposes in different parts of the world. Along with having antioxidant and antibacterial activities within the different plant tissue extracts, it also contains 22% tannin material that is suitable for leather tanning as well as biobased resin preparation. Wood from T. orientalis had good amount of α-cellulose (45–50%) and moderate amount of lignin (20–25%) leading to much research on T. orientalis pulping, where pulp yield in the kraft and soda-anthranquinone pulping processes was about 50% with kappa number around 18-25 that made it comparable to tropical hardwood pulp. Dissolving grade pulp with high purity could also be produced from this species which makes it a good alternative for pulpwood production in tropical countries. This review addresses the potential of complete utilization of the T. orientalis plant in biobased product development.