The Gambian construction sector faces significant challenges due to high humidity and saline air from the Atlantic coast. The demand for high-quality cellulose ether has surged as local contractors seek to prevent rapid water evaporation in cement-based mortars, which often leads to shrinkage cracks in the heat.
Currently, many local projects rely on basic additives, but there is a shifting trend toward specialized hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose ether to improve the open time of tiling and plastering materials, ensuring better adhesion in the fluctuating temperature zones of Banjul and Serekunda.
Furthermore, the infrastructure development in the region requires a more robust water reducing admixture to enhance the strength of concrete while reducing the amount of water needed, which is critical for maintaining structural integrity in swampy coastal soils.