EDITOR’S VOICE + CONTENTS COVER STORY


12 SETTING STANDARDS Setcrete is expanding into the tiling sector with a new range of adhesives and grouts, combining trusted subfloor preparation expertise with dependable performance for professional installers.


REGULARS


4 WHAT’S NEW? The latest news updates and products launches from the forefront of the tile and stone industry.


FEATURES


24 WHY PROVENANCE MATTERS María D Arraez, Director of Tile of Spain UK, looks at the enduring strength of Spanish tile manufacturing.


ADHESIVES & GROUTS


14 FLEXIBILITY MATTERS Pro Tiler Tools explains the importance of adhesive flexibility in modern tiling projects and what today’s installers need to know to achieve reliable results.


16 THE FULL PACKAGE Palace Chemicals showcases its comprehensive range of tiling solutions designed to support every stage of a project, from surface preparation and tile fixing through to grouting, sealing and aftercare.


EXTERIOR INSTALLATIONS


18 EXTERNAL EXCELLENCE The ARDEX Group UK – BAL and ARDEX – shares best practice for direct fixing external porcelain and stone, helping installers achieve durable, weather-resistant results across patios, terraces and outdoor living spaces.


20 COMPLETE CARE Mapei discusses how its UltraCare range delivers a comprehensive solution for cleaning, protecting and maintaining external tiles and stone in even the toughest conditions


HOSPITALITY & LEISURE


28 AN ODE TO ITALY Ape Grupo ceramics help to create a warm and vibrant restaurant that evokes the soul of the to Italian home to the heart of the Caribbean.


30 EASTERN IDENTITY WOW Design ceramic tiles ply a key role in creating a contemporary urban Korean aesthetic at a coffee shop in Thessaloniki, Greece.


CEO: Mark Hanson (mark@opusbm.co.uk) Production Director: Hannah Wilkinson (hannah@opusbm.co.uk) Advertising Executive: Alex Lawrence (alex@opusbm.co.uk) Editor: Sarah Robinson (sarah@opusbm.co.uk) Designer: Daniel Etheridge (daniel@opusbm.co.uk) Designer: Hao Nguyen (hao@opusbum.co.uk)


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Hello and welcome to the Summer 2026 edition of Tomorrow’s Tile & Stone.


We begin this issue with a special focus on Spanish ceramics, as I was lucky enough to join the Time of Spain programme back in the spring. Orgainised by the Spanish Ceramic Tile Manufacturers’ Association (ASCER), the three-day event enabled me to gain first-hand insight into how history and innovation is shaping the future of the country’s ceramic sector. Find out more on page 10.


Continuing the theme, in her article on page 24, María D Arraez, Director of Tile of Spain UK, examines why provenance remains a defining strength of Spanish tile production and the value it brings to specifiers, retailers and installers alike.


Technical performance also comes under the spotlight in our Adhesives & Grouts section. Pro Tiler Tools explains why adhesive flexibility is increasingly important on modern tiling projects, while Palace Chemicals showcases a comprehensive range of solutions covering every stage of installation.


With outdoor living continuing to influence design trends, we also look at the growing demand for durable external installations. The ARDEX Group UK – BAL and ARDEX – shares best practice for fixing external porcelain and stone, while Mapei discusses how its UltraCare range helps maintain and protect hard landscaping in challenging conditions.


Finally, our Hospitality & Leisure features highlight the creative power of ceramics in commercial interiors, from a vibrant Italian-inspired restaurant in the Caribbean created with Ape Grupo Ceramics, to a contemporary Korean- inspired coffee shop in Greece featuring striking surfaces from WOW Design.


I hope you enjoy the issue.


Sarah Robinson, Editor


Find us on X @TomorrowsTS


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