Amal is a safety coverall concept made of recycled polyester, that will provide comfort and breath-ability, while helping reduce the amount of plastic waste being shipped to landfills.

1. Zara Chen | Lauren Foisy | Sophia Lu | Ali Akbar Sahiwala | Ploy Sungkobol

2. “We in the UAE,
have no such word as
‘impossible’; it does not
exist in our lexicon.”
Sheikh Mohammed
Ruler of Dubai, UAE

3. Overwhelming heat, long hours,
little comfort to rest and littered
worksites are among some of the
issues faced on site.
We utilized the Four D Model to frame
our understanding and develop a
comprehensive design solution.

4. UNITED ARAB
EMIRATES
Abu Dhabi
Dubai
Sharjah
Ajman
Umm al-Quwain
Fujairah
Ras al-Khaimah

5. ZAWYA FINANCIAL REPORTING
300,000 jobs
$ 8.4 billion
will directly be created,
with 30% being related to
the construction industry
estimated financing costs,
totaling about 8.9% of the
country’s GDP

6. India Bangladesh
Phillippines
Pakistan
UAE
Sri Lanka
500
1250
500
1000 1750
Indians
Pakistanis
Bangladeshis
Asian
European and
African
Migrant Worker Population (in Thousands)
Emirates Center for Human Rights

7. Labor Reform
in the UAE

8. Regulations in Place
In 2009, the Wage Protection System (WPS) was implemented to ensure
workers receive their salaries without delay.
The Cabinet has adopted a manual providing minimal requirements for
employers to provide suitable housing for workers.
Measures have been set up that help shield workers from illegal recruiters.
www.uaeinteract.com

9. A day in the life of a construction worker
4.30am
Wake up
5.00am
Breakfast
5.30am
Leave from camp
6.30am
Start working
8.30am
Mini break
12.30pm
Lunch

10. 1.30pm
Midday break
3.00pm
Continue working
4.30pm
Mini break
5.00pm
Continue working
5.30pm
Return to camp

12. Image by Brent Stirton
We aim to enhance
working conditions,
improve safety, health
and appreciation of the
workers, while increasing
efficiency of large
construction companies.

14. Re-designed collar reduces
amount of fabric needed for
manufacturing, maximizes
comfort, and provides
additional protection from
the sun.
Base Design:
The base coverall was
designed with minimal
features to keep cost low.
It incorporates the use of
recycled polyester, providing
comfort and breathability,
while helping to reduce the
amount of plastic waste
being shipped to landfills.
A mesh material located
under the arms, and near the
knees, will provide additional
ventilation.
Material will be 100%
recycled, made from
plastic bottles.
Simplicity
Recycled Polyester Mesh
Coverall

15. Design Options:
Additional features can be
integrated into the base
design coverall.
Adding a hood for sun
protection and a mat for
rest, will further alleviate
problems faced on site, by
offering them respite from
the sun and dirt.
Coverall A Place to Rest
An optional hood will give
workers added protection
from sun exposure, with a
UV coating on the material.
Protection
A removable sleeping mat
will provide workers a
surface for napping during
daytime rest breaks.

16. Manufacturing Process
PET Bottles are
purchased from
recycling companies.
Bottles are sterilized,
dried and crushed into
small chips, separating
clear PET bottle chips
from the colored chips.
Chips are heated and spun
into yarn threads, crimped
to give texture. Lastly, they
are dried, baled,
and tested.
Yarns are then dyed and
fed through a knitting
machine to produce a
final product.
Adapted from DGrade

17. Partnerships
DGrade is a recycled
clothing company based
in the UAE. DGrade takes
plastic bottles, breaks them
down into plastic yarn, and
weaves them into everyday
wear including coveralls.
Arabtec is a multinational
construction company
founded in 1975 and
headquartered in Dubai. They
are the largest construction
firm in the Arabian Gulf with
over 40,000 employees.

19. Timeline
Oct. 2014
Research + Prototype
Training + Production
Jan. 2015 Jul. 2015
Pilot Launch + Feedback
Phase 1
Jan. 2016
Training + Production
Jan. 2016 Jul. 2016Apr. 2016
Product Launch + Feedback
Phase 2
Jan. 2017
Relocate to UAE

20. Financial Projections
Target Sales Volume:
2015
Total Cost Per Unit*:
Sales Price Per Unit:
*Cost includes recycled fabric, zipper, buttons, thread, antimicrobial coating, and Dri-Fit technology.
15,000
$13.70
$14.75
2016 2017 2018 2019
25,000
$13.02
$15.05
40,000
$12.36
$15.20
50,000
$11.75
$15.35
65,000
$11.16
$15.50

21. $221,250
$376,125
$532,176
$767,370
$1,007,557
Sales Revenue
$1,200,000
$1,000,000
$800,000
$600,000
$400,000
$200,000
$0
$442,925
$507,898
$607,818
$628,949
$772,319
Total Expenses
2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
Income Forecast

22. Net Income Distribution
2015 2016 2017
($116,246)
($69,101)
$26,444
$72,588
$123,359
DGrade (60% Share)
$150,000
$100,000
$50,000
$0
($50,000)
($100,000)
($150,000)
($77,498)
($46,068)
$39,666
$48,392
$82,359
Prism (40% Share)
2018 2019

23. Increase physical
work capacity
Improve reputation
of contracting firm
Boost
worker morale
Reduce number
of heat related injuries

24. Future Growth
Set up an additional manufacturing plant in the UAE
Collect used coveralls to establish a closed-loop manufacturing process
Contribute a percentage of profits towards developing training facilities
and institutions in origin countries