New shirt offers protection from hot liquids

Material invented by students in Tunisia has been turned into children’s shirts which protect the wearer from being scalded by hot liquids. Thousands of children every year are scalded in Tunisia, of whom 80 per cent are under five years old.

Jihed Saad is the young Tunisian who has developed the material for use in clothing. He and his friends are looking to market the product on a commercial basis, having won an award from “Unleash Tunisia Venture”, which aims to encourage entrepreneurs in the North African country.

“It all started with a simple idea for my graduation project,” explained Saad. He thought of creating and manufacturing a synthetic fibre shirt that could protect children as part of his MA course at the Higher Institute of Technological Studies in Ksar Hellal. The fabric used was the topic of a master’s research study conducted in recent years at the same institute.

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The shirt includes a removable vest and is made of an eco-friendly cotton fabric. Printed in bright colours with cartoon characters, it is intended to be fun to wear. Saad expects to launch his company early next year.

The young entrepreneur pointed out that the product is mainly for export at the moment; only 10 per cent will be sold within Tunisia. “We have no other choice,” he explained. “Our research shows that overseas markets are more interested in the shirts.”

Another problem, he added, is the bureaucracy which hinders emerging businesses in Tunisia. He called upon the government to simplify procedures in order to stimulate and encourage young people to enter the world of business and create their own enterprises.

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