A high performance CaO/bio-based sorbent that resists attrition was developed to reduce the calcium losses and pressure drop in a circulating fluidized bed (CFB) for flue gas desulfurization (FGD). The calcium conversion of the CaO/bio-based sorbent is higher than that of pure lime, since the biomass acts as a dispersion medium in the lime to prevent agglomeration of the lime particles and to reduce the lime particle size. The study on the attrition characteristics of the sorbent in a bubbling fluidized bed shows that the attrition fraction of the CaO/bio-based sorbent is reduced to 32% compared with 100% for the sorbent without biomass, since the biomass and lime produces hydrated calcium silicate which changes the pore structure of the sorbents. This pore structure also improves the reaction rate. Biomass ash melting rearranges the lime structure and enhances the cohesive forces between particles resulting in less particle attrition. The reduced attrition fraction of the sorbents is related to the high SiO2 and K2O fractions in the biomass. The CaO/bio-based sorbent is a promising sorbent with high calcium conversion and reaction rate, small attrition fraction and improved structural properties.