Oyas Environment : When craftsmanship meets ecology to revolutionise watering

A company with deep roots

Founded in 2014 by Frédéric Bidaut and Bastien Noël, Oyas Environnement is much more than just a business.

It is a genuine activist project promoting the environment and more responsible consumption.

Starting from the observation that our irrigation systems needed to be redesigned to save water, these two entrepreneurs have revived an ancient technique: watering with jars.

Development driven by craftsmanship and digital technology

The very essence of the company is based on the craftsmanship of mass production. By reviving the manufacture of ceramics dedicated to ecological watering, Oyas Environnement makes it a point of honour to preserve and promote this manual know-how while responding to growing demand.

The company has grown mainly through digital channels, with an e-commerce site showcasing its products and values. Thanks to their innovation and commitment, the media quickly took an interest in them, boosting the popularity of their watering pots on the gardening market. The Covid-19 crisis also played a key role in their growth, as lockdowns prompted many individuals to take up gardening and seek eco-friendly solutions for caring for their plants.

In a decade, Oyas Environnement has grown from a small artisanal business to a national company with two production workshops located in Saint-Jean-de-Fos, near Montpellier, and in Fraize, in the Vosges. Today, 26 employees are involved in this adventure, which is based on autonomy and collective action.

Human-centred corporate values

Oyas Environnement stands out not only for its products, but also for its innovative management style. The company operates without middle management, thereby promoting autonomy and collaboration between teams. Among the company's key commitments are :

• A 4-day working week, paid for 5 days.

• Sharing capital with employees.

• Weekly group meetings and one day per month dedicated to the collective.

• Strict gender parity and the introduction of menstrual leave.

These choices reflect a desire to put people back at the heart of the company and to promote a balanced and respectful working environment.

Oyas: an eco-friendly alternative to traditional watering systems

The watering pots offered by Oyas Environnement come in two forms :

Oyas to be buried, which are placed directly in the soil and gradually and naturally disperse water through capillary action.

Oyas to be planted, which are inserted directly into pots and offer a decorative touch in addition to their effectiveness in plant care.

Thanks to their microporosity, these pots allow for constant, controlled irrigation, thereby reducing water stress on plants. This system saves 70 to 80% more water than traditional watering methods, while ensuring better plant growth.

Compared to drip irrigation, watering with Oyas promotes optimal plant development by maintaining stable humidity, thus avoiding sudden variations that can harm their health.

Challenges and ambitions for 2025

Despite its success, Oyas Environnement has had to face a major obstacle: counterfeiting. Since 2021, numerous copies of their products have flooded the market, with some companies even claiming French manufacture when they import their products from abroad. Faced with this situation, Oyas Environnement has chosen to focus on the quality and authenticity of its expertise to set itself apart.

In 2025, the company plans to continue its development with several ambitious projects :

• The launch of terracotta composters to meet the needs of city dwellers and gardeners.
  

• The creation of birdhouses and feeders to promote biodiversity.

• The development of an automatic watering system for gardeners with a large number of Oyas.
  

• A research programme on agricultural irrigation, in collaboration with France 2030 and ADEME, to provide sustainable solutions for farmers facing water shortages.
  

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