RAK Ceramics, the $300 million global ceramic giant, has launched RAK Antimicrobial tiles, which come with the proprietary RAK Anti-Microbial Glaze incorporated at the time of firing the tiles.

Specially developed following intensive research in Spain, RAK Anti-Microbial Glaze inhibits the growth of microbes, reduces micro-bacterial contamination and contributes towards the creation of a much healthier living and working environment, claims the company.

In countries having high hygienic standards, usage of tiles with specialised glazes or coatings are mandatory in hospitals, clinics, laboratories and pharmaceutical industries. RAK Ceramics delivers tiles that can meet such demanding requirements, says CEO Dr Khater Massaad.

Tiles and sanitary ware with RAK Anti-Microbial Glaze can be used in schools, hotels, catering institutions, creches, and even in homes, according to the company.
Consultants across the globe have been specifying products with similar glaze at various locations where they appreciate the concerns for hygienic and healthy living, it says.

RAK Ceramics claims that health-conscious establishments in the Gulf region could highly benefit from such products manufactured by the company in the region itself.
The specialised glaze is incorporated into the glaze on the tile at the time of manufacture. The firing of the glaze into the tile at high temperatures creates a surface that instantly destroys the microbes that come into contact with the tile. The glaze on the tile is close to being permanent.

Says Frederic Piras, general manager (production and sales): RAK Ceramics can offer glazed tiles in a very wide range of sizes and finishes with the Anti-Microbial Glaze. Initially, plain white-body ceramic tiles will be offered with this glaze, before moving to specialised designs, for which tests are at an advanced stage of progress at the company's laboratories.

RAK Ceramics offers a wide range of tiles in different sizes with this glaze. In case of large project orders for hospitals, schools, hotels and pharmaceutical factories, RAK Ceramics will consider the customer requests to make any specific tiles within its wide range of glazed tiles, says M P Nair, general manager (marketing and sales).
''Tiles with this glaze would attract a premium in terms of cost over the regular models and the premium would vary according to the quantity ordered. The premium on any tiles with this glaze is certainly value for money, considering the benefits such tiles provide the user.''

Tiles with the special glaze have been tested in several independent institutions in Europe and in the UAE. Even after incubation with microbes for several hours or days, the tiles tested did not retain the microbes.
Explains Piras: The tile manufacturing process itself is not altered, and neither the finish and the look of the tile nor any of its other original properties are affected. RAK Ceramics can offer both wall tiles and floor tiles with this glaze.
RAK Ceramics will be present at stand 5A 271 at the Big 5 show.