Oatly

Oatly is a Swedish food brand that specializes in plant-based products derived from oats. The company was founded in the 1990s by brothers Rickard and Björn Öste. Oatly's product range includes oat milk, oat cream, oat yogurt, and oat ice cream, among others.

History[edit | edit source]

Oatly was established in the 1990s by the Öste brothers, who were researchers at Lund University. They developed a patented enzyme technology that turns oats into a drink that can be used as a substitute for milk. This technology is still used by the company today.

In 2012, the company launched its first barista edition oat milk, which was specifically designed to froth for use in coffee. This product quickly gained popularity in coffee shops around the world.

Products[edit | edit source]

Oatly's product range is based on oats, a sustainable and nutritious plant-based ingredient. The company's products are designed to be a direct substitute for dairy products, offering a more sustainable and vegan-friendly alternative.

The product range includes:

Oat milk: This is Oatly's flagship product. It is available in several varieties, including original, low-fat, and chocolate.
Oat cream: This product can be used in the same way as dairy cream.
Oat yogurt: Also known as "oatgurt", this product is a dairy-free alternative to yogurt.
Oat ice cream: This is a vegan-friendly ice cream made from oats.

Sustainability[edit | edit source]

Oatly places a strong emphasis on sustainability. Oats require less water and produce less CO2 than dairy milk, making them a more environmentally friendly choice. The company is transparent about its carbon footprint and is working towards becoming completely carbon neutral.

Controversies[edit | edit source]

Despite its success, Oatly has faced some controversies. In 2020, the company was criticized for selling a stake to a consortium led by Blackstone Group, a company linked to deforestation in the Amazon. Oatly defended the decision, stating that it was a way to influence Blackstone and other large corporations to become more sustainable.