NORMAN, OK -- SouthWest NanoTechnologies Inc. (SWeNT), Norman, OK, recently received an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) consent order that will permit the company to manufacture and distribute multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) for commercial applications. SWeNT’s multi-wall products are sold under the SWeNT SMW™ (Specialty Multi-Wall) trademark.

SWeNT is now the only U.S. manufacturer permitted to commercially distribute both single and multi-wall carbon nanotubes. Previously the company distributed its SMW products via a low release, low exposure (LOREX) PMN exemption from the EPA.

The EPA granted this consent order under the Toxic Control Substances Act, which requires defining each company’s carbon nanotubes as a new chemical substance. The EPA requires manufacturers who intend to distribute commercial quantities to obtain a consent order prior to CNT commercial production or distribution, although small quantities are permitted for research and development from suppliers with a LOREX exemption.

The consent order states that SWeNT’s SMW CNTs can be used as additives in resins, thermoplastics and elastomers for mechanical reinforcement and enhanced electrical properties. The SWeNT products can also be used commercially for coatings on metallic foils for batteries and for fabric composites manufacturing.