VOUTAY

What VOUTAY does

VOUTAY SAS, operating under the Ecocotte® brand, is a Lyon-based French micro-enterprise founded in August 2020 by Ninon VOUTAY that designs, manufactures and sells handmade Norwegian pots (marmites norv\u00e9giennes) — insulated cooking containers that use compacted sheep wool to continue cooking food passively for 6-8 hours above 80\u00b0C and maintain temperature above 63\u00b0C for over 8 hours. The core technology relies on needle-punched wool felt (rather than boiled felt) and bulk wool compacted into thick sausage-like tubes that fully envelop a cast-iron cocotte, with French linen straps and an open-source design available for non-commercial self-assembly. The company sells three flagship sizes (Compacte 1-3 servings at \u20ac148, TRIBU 2-8 servings at \u20ac170, XL 6-12 servings at \u20ac177), DIY kits (\u20ac45-\u20ac85), Thermolaine® wool accessories (insulated bags, seat cushions, yoga mats), French linen table linens, and resold low-tech cookbooks.

The business model is direct-to-consumer only, transacted primarily through ecocotte.fr and supplemented by workshop pickup in Lyon and parcel forwarding. There is no subscription, no wholesale, no retail partnership, no app, and no API; pricing is fixed year-round with anti-Black Friday positioning. Revenue streams are one-time product sales, complemented by resale of third-party eco-cooking books. Production is performed in the Lyon workshop with overflow handled through local social reintegration workshops, using raw wool sourced from Auvergne sheep farmers (Noire du Velay and Solognote breeds), linen woven by Emmanuel Lang in Alsace, and felting services in Brittany — an arrangement that also makes VOUTAY a member of the BÊLE collective rebuilding a regional wool sector.

VOUTAY is structured as a Soci\u00e9t\u00e9 par Actions Simplifi\u00e9e with \u20ac15,000 of share capital and is classified as a TPE (very small enterprise); it is founder-owned, has raised no disclosed external funding, and serves only the French mainland market. The company operates with effectively a single full-time founder-operator, achieves media visibility through coverage on TMC, France Inter, Europe 1 and BFM Local, and monetizes a community-driven content engine (31+ recipes, user forum, newsletter loyalty points, annual photo contest) to drive organic conversion.

Name

VOUTAY

Legal name

VOUTAY SAS

Website

https://ecocotte.fr

Company type

Private

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

VOUTAY SAS (Ecocotte) is a Lyon-based French micro-enterprise, founded in 2020 by Ninon VOUTAY, that designs, handcrafts and sells direct-to-consumer Norwegian pots and wool-based thermal cooking accessories made from local French sheep wool and linen for eco-conscious household consumers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Lyon

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations

Revenue model

1. Direct product sales: Ecocotte generates revenue primarily through direct sales of finished textile products (Norwegian pots, insulated bags, pot holders, table linens) via its e-commerce website. Products are sold as one-time purchases with no recurring subscription.
2. DIY kit sales: Sale of self-assembly kits (Kit Essentiel, Kit Écrin de Lin) for customers to sew their own Norwegian pots at home. Kits include wool, linen components, straps, cords, and instruction booklets.
3. Book and guide sales: Resale of books related to eco-friendly cooking and sustainable living, including titles published by Terre Vivante (Marmite norvégienne cookbook, solar cooking guide, household products guide, Greener Good guide).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

VOUTAY SAS manufactures and sells handmade Norwegian pots (marmites norvégiennes) under the Ecocotte brand — insulated cooking containers using compacted French sheep wool that maintain food temperature above 80°C for 6-8 hours, enabling slow, low-energy cooking without active supervision. The company also offers DIY self-assembly kits, wool felt accessories (insulated bottle pouches, pot holders, comfort seats, yoga mats), French linen table linens, bread bags, and curated books on low-tech cooking, all produced in Lyon from locally sourced materials.

Product overview

VOUTAY operates under the Ecocotte brand, offering handmade Norwegian pots (marmites norvégiennes/couveuses culinaires) for slow, low-energy cooking. The core product line includes three sizes of Ecocotte thermal cookers (Compacte for 1-3 servings, TRIBU for 2-8 servings, and XL for 6-12 servings), all made in France with local wool and linen insulation. The portfolio extends to DIY kits (Kit Essentiel and Kit Écrin de Lin) for self-making Norwegian pots, wool felt accessories (insulated bottle carriers, pot holders, comfort cushions), 100% French linen table linens, zero-waste coffee filters, and yoga mats. VOUTAY also sells books and guides on low-tech cooking, sustainable consumption, and homemade products, reflecting their eco-responsible and zero-waste values. Products are made locally in Lyon with materials sourced from French suppliers (Auvergne wool, Norman flax, Alsatian linen weaving).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Thermolaine®: Product line for thermal insulation accessories including seat cushions and insulated bags

Products and services

• Ecocotte Marmite Norvégienne Compacte Handmade Norwegian pot (couveuse culinaire) using natural wool insulation for slow, low-energy cooking. Sized for 1-3 servings, suitable for individuals or couples seeking passive cooking.
• Ecocotte Marmite Norvégienne TRIBU Handmade Norwegian pot sized for families and small gatherings (2-8 servings), available in multiple colors. Provides passive cooking continuation for 6-8 hours above 80°C.
• Ecocotte Marmite Norvégienne XL Largest Norwegian pot model for large gatherings and catering (6-12 servings), with the same passive-cooking wool insulation as the smaller models.
• Kit Essentiel Ecocotte — DIY Norwegian pot starter kit DIY self-assembly kit enabling customers to sew their own Norwegian pot at home using local wool, French linen handles, recycled cords, and an instruction booklet.
• Kit Écrin de Lin — DIY Norwegian pot with French linen lining Premium DIY kit with pre-cut French linen lining for assembling a Norwegian pot at home, available in three sizes matching the Compacte, TRIBU, and XL capacity ranges.
• Double pochette isotherme (Glacière isotherme) Insulated wool-felt cooler bag sized for two 0.5-1L bottles, combining Solognote wool with French linen straps for portable beverage cooling.
• Pochette isotherme Nomade Portable wool-felt insulated pouch for a single 0.5-1L bottle, keeping drinks cold for up to 8 hours or hot for up to 3 hours using French sheep wool felt and a linen strap.
• Lot de 2 Maniques carrées en feutre de laine 100% française Pair of square pot holders made from 100% French needle-felted wool (Noire du Velay or Solognote), providing heat protection for cookware handling.
• Assise Confort Thermolaine Ultra-light wool-felt comfort seat cushion (125g) for outdoor activities such as picnics and stadium seating, with French coated linen and elastic strap.
• Serviettes de table en lin 100% français (Lot de 4 ou Lot de 6) 100% French linen table napkins available individually or in lots of 4 or 6, sized 55x35 cm with 200g/m² density and supplied in multiple colors.
• Sac à pain — Baguette — en Lin 100% français Reusable 100% French linen bread bag sized to hold 3-4 baguettes or 2 molded breads, machine-washable at 40°C.
• Filtre à café lavable, zéro déchet, en lin naturel français Reusable zero-waste coffee filter made from 100% French woven linen, sized n°4 (standard) and compatible with all coffee makers.
• Dessous-de-plat « boules en feutre de laine » Decorative wool-felt trivet (dessous-de-plat) made of 100% virgin wool with OEKO-TEX certified dye, sized 19 cm with 2 cm felt balls; assembled in Lyon.
• Tapis Yoga & Méditation en Laine Française — Sérénité (Thermolaine) French wool and linen yoga/meditation mat offering thermal insulation and comfort, with an adjustable linen carrying strap.
• Thermolaine® Armand & Solène — Sac repas isotherme en laine naturelle Insulated sheep-wool food bag (Thermolaine sub-brand) for transporting meals while keeping them at temperature, made in France.
• Laine de mouton lavée pour rembourrage Washed sheep wool sold by 500g for stuffing, refluffing, or DIY insulation projects.
• Guide « Consommez moins, consommez mieux » 64-page practical guide by The Greener Good association containing 60 concrete actions for responsible consumption, distributed via the Ecocotte shop.
• Cuisiner avec une marmite norvégienne Cookbook dedicated to cooking with a Norwegian pot, sold via the Ecocotte shop to support product adoption.
• Marmite norvégienne, la magie de la cuisson low-tech en caisson isolant — 60 recettes végétariennes Book on Norwegian-pot low-tech cooking with 60 vegetarian recipes by Raphaële Vidaling, sold via the Ecocotte shop.
• Je cuisine avec le soleil 96-page book by Rémy Bacher, Pierre Bertrand, and Jeremy Light on building and using solar cookers from recycled materials, distributed via the Ecocotte shop.
• Je fabrique mes produits ménagers 96-page DIY guide by Laëtitia Royant for homemade household cleaning products, distributed via the Ecocotte shop.
• 16 bricolages low-tech pour la maison et le jardin Book presenting 16 low-tech DIY projects for home and garden, sold via the Ecocotte shop.
• Je construis mon séchoir solaire Book on building solar dryers, distributed via the Ecocotte shop.

Quantifiable outcome

• Up to 50% energy savings compared to conventional cooking
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Vent d'Ouest (Caen)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2024Collaboration with Vent d'Ouest association in Caen for their 'Éco-solutions for all' project. Ecocotte supplies sheep wool at solidarity pricing for workshops teaching participants to make insulated skirts and Norwegian pots. Project runs November 2024 to June 2025 with 15 residents.
• BÊLE CollectivecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEcocotte is an engaged member of the BÊLE collective, which works to reconstruct a local wool sector in Auvergne Rhône-Alpes. Through its choices of materials, manufacturing, and markets, Ecocotte contributes to restoring value to a long-forgotten resource.
• Emmanuel Lang (Hirsingue linen weaver)coreTechnology or IntegrationSupplier of French linen fabric. Located in Hirsingue, Alsace, the company was saved from closure in 2013 by employees and now specializes in linen weaving with 34 employees. Ecocotte sources 100% French-made linen fabric from this supplier.
• Local social reintegration workshopsminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPart of Ecocotte confection is carried out in partnership with local reintegration workshops that help people in difficulty regain social and professional standing. The remainder of production takes place in the Lyon workshop.
• Auvergne sheep farmers (Noire du Velay and Solognote breeds)coreOthersLocal sheep farmers in Auvergne who provide wool from Noire du Velay and Solognote sheep breeds. Their wool is washed in Auvergne, felted in Brittany, and used in Ecocotte products. Supporting these farmers contributes to local wool sector revival.
• The Greener Good Association (Lyon)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerLyon-based association (law 1901) founded in June 2016 by Clémentine Mossé and Louis Perrin. Communicates on ecoresponsible living solutions and features Ecocotte in their sustainable consumption guide.
• Edifice Éditions (Normandy publisher)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership with Normandy publishing house for producing a comic book documenting the Vent d'Ouest low-tech habitat project journey.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Le Creuset: Iconic French premium cookware brand offering cast-iron cocottes and stoneware. Comparable on French premium cookware heritage and the cocotte-format product itself, though Le Creuset operates at vastly larger scale and via global wholesale retail.
• Bodum: Danish kitchen brand focused on functional, Scandinavian-design coffee makers, teapots, and double-walled glassware. Comparable on eco-conscious design positioning and the use of glass/insulation for thermal functionality in kitchen products.
• Thermos: Global leader in vacuum-insulated thermal containers. Comparable on core thermal insulation technology and the portable food-temperature-maintenance use case that underpins Ecocotte's insulated bottle pouches and food bags.
• Staub: French premium cookware brand specializing in enameled cast-iron cocottes. Comparable on French-made premium cookware heritage and target customer (premium home cooks), though Staub operates at global scale with broad retail distribution.
• Cristel: French premium cookware brand known for stainless-steel cookware and detachable-handle systems. Comparable on French-made premium cookware positioning and target customer segment, though materials and product category differ.
• Tefal (T-fal): Mass-market French cookware and small-appliance brand. Comparable on cookware category and French origin, though Tefal competes on convenience and price rather than eco-responsibility or artisan craftsmanship.
• Stanley (Stanley 1913): Heritage American brand specializing in vacuum-insulated bottles, tumblers, and food containers. Most directly comparable on thermal retention technology and the consumer use case of maintaining food/drink temperature over multi-hour periods.

Direct peers

• Hay: Danish design brand selling premium home and kitchen accessories with a Scandinavian eco-conscious aesthetic. Highly comparable on curated home/kitchen product positioning, target customer (design-aware premium buyers), and direct-to-consumer + selective retail model, though Hay's portfolio is far broader than Ecocotte's thermal-cooking niche.

Emerging players

• GreenPan: Belgian-origin cookware brand built around ceramic non-stick and healthier/eco-friendly cooking positioning. Comparable on the eco-conscious cookware narrative targeting health- and sustainability-aware consumers, though GreenPan focuses on pans rather than thermal insulation.

Regional players

• Lakeland: UK kitchenware retailer offering curated cooking gadgets, thermal cookers, and food-prep tools. Comparable on the kitchen-accessory category and multi-channel D2C model, though Lakeland serves the UK market rather than France.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/ecocottebyninon
• Instagraminstagram.com/ecocotte_fr/?hl=fr
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ecocotte

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about VOUTAY