Need to Know
17 : 06 : 22

Europe – The oat drink brand is encouraging European schools to switch from giving children dairy milk to plant-based alternatives. Its latest campaign, which shows children smuggling Oatly cartons into schools, aims to normalise the distribution of alternative milks in the EU school programme – an initiative offering free access to fruits, vegetables and milk.

It arrives in line with the European Commission’s aims to promote healthier and more sustainable diets, while also recognising that some children cannot or do not want to drink cow’s milk for medical, ethical, environmental or religious reasons. The advert also points viewers to a petition calling on the EU to include plant-based milks in its school programme, as well as a microsite with resources about the campaign.

By creating a playful advert, along with practical information, Oatly has the potential to spark widespread change among schools, children and their care-givers. As we explore in The Zalpha Reckoning, Generation Zalpha are set to be the largest generation of plant-based eaters in the world – with many growing up on planet-positive diets.

Norway – Nestled in the depths of the Magnor forest, The Plus is furniture company Vestre’s latest manufacturing facility. Designed by BIG architects, the 75,000-square-feet building not only gives visitors a closer look at Vestre's sustainable manufacturing process, but also serves as an experiential destination.

Unlike most factory buildings, which are closed to non-employees, The Plus has a visitor centre where guests can learn about Vestre's manufacturing process. The building's name comes from the four wings that make up the production facility: the colour factory, wood factory, assembly and warehouse. Each is arranged around a central courtyard, also accessible to the public. This is a nod to Norway’s Right to Roam (Allemannsretten) law, which permits anyone to roam freely on uncultivated territory.

In Rewilding Retail we explore how factories are becoming more planet- and human-centric. This example shows how, in future, factories can further demonstrate their sustainability credentials by becoming fully transparent and accessible.

Halal beauty, a category that refers to products made with ingredients permissible under Islamic principles, is growing in popularity. According to research by Insight Partners, by 2028 the halal beauty market is expected to reach £65.3m ($79.8m, €76.6m).

Just this year, the halal beauty market was valued at £29.9m ($36.6m, €35.1m), with rising demand for halal certification in Southeast Asian and Islamic countries driving much of the expansion. The fastest growing category in the market is the skincare segment, with increasing desire for anti-ageing creams, moisturisers and serums as well as a greater awareness of clean beauty.

While the Asia-Pacific region is expected to retain its dominance of the market, the report also identifies India, Indonesia and Malaysia as future markets due to expanding Muslim populations. To cater for this region, the report emphasises the relevance of social media, as the Muslim population in Asia-Pacific is highly connected to media, fashion and beauty online.

Although we’ve been monitoring the Halal Beauty Market for some time, these recent findings suggest that the market is gaining more global appeal. In future, we expect it to become more popular among non-Muslim consumers, too.