New technological advances in the processing of woody biomass have established a new class of nano-structured biomaterials with properties ideally suited to reinforce thermoplastic. These materials, known generally as ‘nanocellulose’ materials, are renewable, biodegradable, and have exceptional properties that enable them to compete in applications traditionally reserved for high-performance synthetic nano-fibers. In the research discussed here, the processing parameters and results establishing the effect of nanocellulose on the strength and stiffness of polypropylene, polyamide and polylactic acid are presented, along with a comparison to commercial reinforcing agents for industrial applications.