The Middle East’s largest manufacturer of adhesive tapes and specialty adhesives has announced it will diversify into more specialised lines.

Anchor Allied, a subsidiary of M’Sharie, the private equity arm of Dubai Investments, is currently developing a structural glazing sealant, which is described as a single-component, low-odour neutral alcoxy-cure sealant with high bonding and durable adhesion to most porous and non-porous construction materials including glass, metals and most plastics.
It is also working on other products for specialised applications like intumescent sealants and fire-rated sealants. All these products are expected to be launched later this year.
The Sharjah-based company is the largest manufacturer of adhesive tapes, silicone and acrylic sealants, aerosol paints, lubricants and car-care products in the Middle East and claims an estimated 60 per cent market share in the UAE. It sells its products under the Asmaco brand in more than 55 countries including ones in the GCC region, Eastern Asia, the Indian subcontinent, Africa, Eastern Europe, Russia, North America and South America.
Anchor Allied offers a wide range of weatherproofing solutions. Its product range includes caulks of silicones and acrylic and PU foams.  Asmaco also offers masking tapes and paints. 
“With technical collaborations from US- and EU-based manufacturers combined with strong in-house, well facilitated R&D centre, we offer our customers the best products and services and that is why Asmaco is the most preferred brand in the Middle East,” says Ahmed Ali Nalvala, Anchor Allied’s managing director.    
Elaborating on the offerings, he says: “Asmaco silicone caulks are long-life products based on both acetic and neutral-cure chemistries and have the ability to withstand larger joint movements and service temperature conditions.”
Acrylic sealants
The company also manufactures acrylic sealants as standard or with fire-retardant properties.
It recommends its Asmacryl 47 as suitable for joints between construction components that are subject to moderate stress and highlights that it can seal inner or external joints such as concrete, plaster, asbestos and brickwork. Its fire-resistant Asmacryl 55 is formulated for applications that require fire-rated sealants.
With the introduction of waterborne sealants in the 1960s, acrylic emulsion formulations have matured commercially as intermediate-performance architectural sealants, the company says.
“Some of the problems that had been associated with the earlier waterborne sealants such as aging, cracking, and freeze-thaw stability have been resolved with acrylic products. Also, newer acrylic sealant formulations have been developed for demanding applications where significant joint movement is expected,” says Nalvala.
Anchor Allied supplies the Asmaco PU foam for sealing, which comes in aerosol cans, expands on curing and is suitable for larger cracks. Featuring good insulation properties, the product is recommended for use in non-friction areas, as rubber becomes dry and powdery over time. It is offered both as standard or B2 grade (fire retardant) foam.
The company recently won the award for ‘Best Company in the Industrial Sector’ at the Sharjah Pioneers Awards.
Anchor Allied was selected for its outstanding business achievement and for its contribution in raising the investment profile of Sharjah, said Nalvala who received the prize from Dr Sheikh Saqr Bin Mohammad Bin Khalid Al Qasimi, chairman of the Department of Islamic Affairs and secretary-general of the Sharjah Awqaf General Trust.