The invention relates to a novel method for production of nanofibrillar chitin, sustainable from an industrial manufacturing standpoint and suitable for producing chitin nanofibrils having improved properties and free from less crystalline components. The invention also relates to novel chitin nanofibrils obtained with said method and characterized by an increased dispersibility in aqueous media. The invention further relates to uses of nanofibrils in pastes and aqueous gels useful for topical on-skin application, to the manufacturing of materials of biomedical interest, as well as to the deposition of chitin nanofibrils on coating surfaces or the incorporation of the same inside of items like, e.g., fibers and fabrics of any Origin, natural as well as synthetic or mixed ones.