Les Nouveaux Affineurs

Les Nouveaux Affineurs, operating in the plant-based food sector, established itself as a producer of vegan alternatives to traditional French cheese. The company was founded in 2017 by Nour Akbaraly, an engineer with a background in applied mathematics and a passion for gastronomy. His journey began by exploring alt-protein solutions to address the environmental and ethical challenges within food supply chains, leading him to undertake training in agronomy and agri-food at AgroSup Dijon before launching the venture.

The business centers on producing and marketing organic, plant-based cheese substitutes, referred to as "affinés végétaux" and "frais végétaux" (aged and fresh plant-based products). This nomenclature circumvents French regulations that restrict the term "cheese" to dairy-based items. The products are created using a patented process involving primarily organic cashew nuts and French organic soybeans, which are then subjected to fermentation and aging techniques analogous to traditional cheesemaking. The ingredient list is intentionally minimal, also including water and salt, with no additives or preservatives. Product lines include alternatives mimicking Camembert and various spreadable fresh cheeses. The company asserts its products have a significantly lower carbon footprint, emitting five times less CO2 than their dairy equivalents.

Les Nouveaux Affineurs employs an omnichannel distribution strategy, selling directly to consumers online and through a network of retail partners. Its products are available in France, Belgium, Switzerland, and Germany, with listings in major organic and mainstream retailers like Biocoop, Bio c' Bon, and Migros. The company also collaborates with the foodservice sector, supplying its products to Michelin-starred chefs who feature them as standalone culinary items rather than mere substitutes. A key milestone was the opening of a 1,000-square-meter production facility in Ivry-sur-Seine in 2021, enabling scaled production. The company secured over €2 million in a 2020 funding round from investors including Demeter, Newfund, and Beyond Investing to facilitate this expansion. In February 2025, Les Nouveaux Affineurs was acquired by Jay&Joy, another entity in the plant-based cheese market.

Keywords: plant-based cheese, vegan cheese, foodtech, alternative protein, fermented foods, sustainable food, French gastronomy, organic food products, cashew cheese, soy-based products, vegan dairy, food manufacturing, retail food, specialty foods, sustainable gastronomy, climate tech food, agri-food, cheese alternative, plant-based dairy, ethical food