Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are often seen as a wonder material of the future, whose main applications will be space elevators, drug delivery systems and nano-electronics. CNTs and other 'nanoparticles' are an order of magnitude smaller than conventional plastics fillers. When small amounts are compounded into a polymer, this can have a dramatic effect on properties. But it is two of their more 'mundane' properties - the anti-static effect and flame retardancy - that could fuel mass-market growth.