There are so many different stones being used commercially these days and so many chemicals to use with them that Akemi, the German chemical company, have produced a CD for their main distributors (like Ebor in the UK - Tel: 01706 869691) to help them offer advice.

The CD lists 2,300 stones along with products that can be safely and effectively used for each one. There is also information about care intervals and product consumption. A condensed version with 15 basic stone types listed is available to installers.

The list of products that can be used on stone grows all the time and the latest launches from Akemi include Triple Effect, a sealer, protector and polisher for use by the consumer once her kitchen with granite worktops has been installed. For the company supplying the kitchen it offers the opportunity for repeat sales as well as additional profit and goodwill with the installation.

For memorial masons comes a monument care kit for selling on to customers along with the memorial. The kit contains a stone cleaner, polish and impregnator, all in 250ml bottles, packaged in a case with a sponge, brush, measuring cup and polishing cloth.

For fireplace manufacturers and others dealing with marble there is something for the workshop rather than the customer in the new MS76 polyester glue. The dispenser hangs on the wall so that just the right amount of filler/adhesive and hardener can be dispensed, considerably reducing waste and avoiding any problems of mixing incorrect proportions.

For floors there is Stone Crystallisation, a chemical available in five litre cans that can polish a floor without regrinding even if it contains matt spots or foot traffic wear marks.

There are two versions of the product. Basic (AK1) forms a hard calciumfluorosilicate crystals on calcareous stone surfaces by chemical reaction. It can be used to treat grinding faults, polishing residues and cement residues on newly installed floors.

The finishing version (AK2) provides a bright, polished finish that can reduce the wear of the stone and make future cleaning easier.

Also for floors, Akemi have a product they developed following a problem with their own stone floors at their offices. After the floor had been laid it was covered with plastic so the area above could be decorated without getting paint on the floor. But the plastic retained moisture in the stone, which left stains when it was sealed.

To overcome the problem they have developed a triple layer floor covering that \'breaths\', so that moisture can escape from the floor without delaying work above.