Nanoencapsulation is a promising technology allowing miniaturized dosage and administration of valuable volatiles, degradable bioactives and biologicals. The produced nanoparticles display qualities such as a sustained availability of active constituents, targeted delivery and enhanced shelf stability. This review presents methods of nanoencapsulation and nanoemulsion, such as solvent evaporation–emulsification, coacervation, nanoprecipitation, inclusion complexation, electrospraying, electrospinning, freeze drying and spray drying. Those methods are particularly relevant for the pharmaceutical, food and agricultural industries. © 2019, Springer Nature Switzerland AG.