The largest single usage of organoclays over recent years has been in the manufacture of polymer-clay nanocomposites. These organic–inorganic hybrid materials show superior mechanical, thermal and gas-barrier properties and water treatment. Potential benefits include increased mechanical strength, decreased gas permeability, superior flame-resistance, and even enhanced transparency when dispersed nanoclay plates suppress polymer crystallization. Organoclay is used in polymer nanocomposites and in the ink formulation to adjust the consistency of printing inks. It is used to thicken the lubricating oils to produce especially high temperature resistant lubricating greases with good working stability and water resistance. In cosmetics, organoclays are used to enhance good colour retention and coverage for nail lacquers, lipsticks and eye shadows. Nanoclays are also used as rheological modifiers in paints, inks, grease and cosmetics. Nanoclays have great potential as compared to polymer and carbon nanotubes for drug delivery applications. The organoclay treatment of waste water yields superior clarity and oil and grease removal when compared to other treatments. It also removes humic acid which is one of the common contaminant in potable water. Organoclays operate via partitioning phenomena and have a synergistic effect with activated carbon and other unit processes such as reverse osmosis. Nanoclays are known to enhance properties of many polymers giving them better clarity, stiffness, thermal stability, barrier properties to moisture, solvents, vapors, gases and flavors, reduced static cling and UV transmission in film and bottles, improved chemical, flame, scratch resistance, and dimensional stability in injection molded products. The properties of polypropylene spun bond fabrics can be enhanced by inclusion of small levels of nanoclays. Nanoclay is a wide-spectrum mycotoxin binder. Nanotechnology is now being used in the animal industry to improve the natural qualities of clay, leading the way to healthier and more productive animals. Consisting of nanosize (3.5–5.0 nm) hollow spherules, allophane is a suitable support material for enzyme immobilization. Allophane is also effective at adsorbing phenolic compounds and colour from kraft mill effluents and phosphate from water and wastewater. Organoclays are also useful in pollution control
Commercial brands

Nanomer®, Sigma-Aldrich and Cloisite® are the popular nanoclays available in the market. Nanomer® is a nanoclay product developed by Nanocor/AMCOL International Corporation anomer® nanoclay, and is supplied as a free-flowing, micronized powder. When Nanomer nanoclays are dispersed in a polymer matrix, they form a near-molecular blend called a nanocomposite. Cloisite® nanoclays are produced by Southern Clay Products, Inc., of Texas, USA. Sigma-Aldrich, in collaboration with the Nanocor Corporation, offers a range of montmorillonite nanoclay products with different organic modifications optimized to be compatible with various polymer systems.