The fine fibrillar network of nanocellulose gels holds water very strongly already at concentrations below 1%.  But, the fine network can be utilized to exert osmotic pressure on the gels by not allowing polymers of an dehydration bath to enter the network. During dehydration the network densifies, allowing liquids of smaller polymers and of higher osmotic pressures to be used to further increase the level of dehydration. The strong interactions with water can also be utilized during liquid exchange to remove liquid from gels. The nanocellulose gels will expel water to dilute and minimize amount of the new liquid to enter the fibrillar network, keeping the  liquid around the fibrils as pure water as possible. The selection of exchanging liquid has a profound impact on the level gel liquid removal.  Utilizing liquids for nanocellulose consolidation is especially of interest in wet production of nanocellulosic materials, such as filament spinning.