September 22, 2011 — Carbon nanotubes (CNT) company SouthWest NanoTechnologies Inc. (SWeNT) received an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) consent order permitting SWeNT 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 reports that it is now the only US manufacturer permitted to commercially distribute both single and multi-wall carbon nanotubes. Commercial-scale sales allow more product developers to integrate CNTs for cost and performance improvements, from a domestic source, said SWeNT CEO Dave Arthur.

Prior to the EPA decision, SWeNT 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 (TSCA), 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.

SouthWest NanoTechnologies (SWeNT) is a specialty chemical company that manufactures high-quality single-wall and specialty multi-wall carbon nanotubes, printable inks and CNT-coated fabrics. For more information, please visit www.swentnano.com.