Composites consisting of individual, or bundles,of single-walled, exfoliated nanotubes in a highly viscous polymer matrix (see Figure) are described. The nanotubes and polymer are made compatible using surfactant molecules, hence avoiding the need for direct attraction between the nanotubes and the matrix. The resulting nanotube-polymer composites have a conductivity percolation threshold of 0.28 wt.-% nanotubes.