Khalil Al Khalili Establishment (Kake) is launching an innovative film which when applied to glass is said to toughen it considerably.

The unique film, in effect, turns ordinary glass into super-strength safety glass, says Noor Mohd Abdul Hameed, general manager, marketing, (acrylic, aluminium and glazing division).

He explains: ''As there is no facility in Oman producing toughened glass, we have been facing the problem of having to import it. This film, produced by Glass Sentinal of the US, provides a very effective solution. This tough coating was first manufactured for use exclusively by the US government for the protection of overseas federal offices and embassies in 62 countries worldwide.''

Khalil Al Khalili Establishment represents Glass Sentinal in the Gulf region.

Outlining how the system works, he says: ''The system comprises a unique adhesive and high-quality films. The patented acrylic adhesive molecularly bonds into the glass, making the glass itself stronger and able to withstand greater force. The adhesive penetrates the glass and with it the film - which has a high degree of elasticity - thus toughening the glass.

''It helps protect against burglary, violent weather, accidental glass shattering and glass-related injuries. Even when there is sufficient force to break the glass, Glass Sentinal will hold the fragments together in the frame, making it more difficult for a thief to get through the broken glass,'' he claims. ''In addition, when the film is applied to both the sides of a 12 mm thick glass, it renders it bullet-resistant, and when applied to both sides of 15 mm glass it makes it bomb-resistant. It comes with a 15-year warranty against glass breakage.

Besides toughening the glass, the film is also said to impart thermal properties to the surface. ''The film reduces heat transmission by 30 per cent on clear glass, by 60 per cent on tinted and by 75 per cent on silver colour.''

Among the first projects in Oman to utilise the product will be the Snake Park in Muscat.

Khalil Al Khalili Establishment, set up in 1970, is today a well-diversified group engaged in a wide range of activities and including a number of companies under its fold. The company launched a plant for fusing and bending glass, claimed to be the only such facility in the Sultanate, a little over a year ago.

Commenting on how business has been for this aspect of the establishment's business, Hameed says: ''We could not achieve what we targeted with the glass fusing facility. However, we have now changed our strategy and are targeting a niche quality market where products will be offered on an exclusive basis.''

The company is also a fabricator of Cristalan and Cristalite products imported from Schock of Germany, a leading acrylic processing company.

Cristalan is a modern composite material used to manufacture a full range of high-quality compact sheets and solid sheets as well as colour-coordinated moulded parts and edges. Described as being ideal for the kitchen or bath, Cristalan is also suitable for use as a material for furniture, shop interiors, hotels, banks, hospitals or laboratories.

Cristalan is made from a natural mineral, aluminium hydroxide, combined with high-grade acrylic and characterised by attractive features.

Stain-resistant and waterproof, Cristalan is said to be easy to maintain, safe for use in food preparation areas, hygienic and easy to repair. It is also non-fading and resists brief exposure to temperatures up to 260 deg C. Cristalan can be thermally formed, cut and shaped like wood and seamlessly bonded, says the company.

Cristalite is said to be particularly suited for high-quality sinks and sheets that combine the hardness and resistance of natural granite with the flexibility of acrylic. Cristalite is practically indestructible and scratch-proof, says the firm. ''Its smooth surface makes it perfectly hygienic and very easy to clean. An especially attractive feature is that Cristalite is available in many colours and patterns and has the distinctive appearance of stone,'' Hameed says.

''An added advantage of these products is that they are available in rare colours and shades, such as the rare granites that they replicate - however, they can be produced at the same cost as any other colours,'' Hameed points out.

Meanwhile, Khalil Al Khalili Establishment, which has been Omani agent for Thermassiv from Germany for well over 11 years, is a major shareholder in a new production facility set up to manufacture these patented profiles in the Sultanate. The firm, known as Insulated Products International (IPI), has just begun production of the profiles in Oman.

These weatherproof and heat-resistant profiles for windows, doors and curtainwalls are claimed to allow zero heat transfer due to the use of unique insulation materials within the core which comprises the right mix of various ingredients. The shell is made of uPVC.

IPI's factory, currently in Wadi Al Khabir, will be moved to Sohar in a year's time. The plant will have a capacity to produce 260,000 linear metres on one shift. About 60 per cent of the production is targeted for the European market, says Hameed.

Khalil Al Khalili Establishment is also involved in glazing and aluminium works, metal casting, joinery works and manufacture of aluminium folding partition systems, automatic sunshades, aluminium kitchens and windows. It also has a powder coating facility.

The company says it offers a total solution for any size of project whether new-build or refurbishment, including design, installation, commissioning and technical guidance on specific jobs and projects requiring expert advice on product selection and after-sales service.