For the past five years, Sharjah-based Anchor Allied has been among the leading manufacturers of adhesive tapes and silicone sealants in the Middle East. "Our range of silicone sealants has been widely accepted in the Middle East and Asia Pacific region," says Mr Sarkar, plant manager.

EN 12004 is the recent European Norm for tile installation materials, which is now in force and will replace BS 5980 in the UK. ANSI 118 is the US standard for tile installation materials Laticrete most commonly refers to. What do these standards test? ANSI 118 tests cement-based thinsets, latex/cement thinsets, epoxies and furans.

Laticrete installation systems were recently chosen for an impressive monument in honour of the President of the UAE, HH Shaikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and Ruler of Abu Dhabi. The Al Ain Municipality of the UAE created this monument to commemorate the President's safe return from the US after successful surgery.