Founder

Confirel was founded in 2001 by Dr. Hay Ly Eang — five years after he founded the pharmaceutical company PPM — built on the belief that Cambodian terroirs, rural know-how and local ingredients could become higher-value products when supported by science, quality control and responsible production.

The name Confirel carries that same founding philosophy. Read letter by letter, it is eight commitments in one word: conserving natural heritage, honouring the original identity of local products, opening new opportunities for development, following an artisanal production logic, rooting innovation in local resources, paying stakeholders fairly, training and employing farmers and staff, and leveraging the livelihoods and economic growth that follow. Not values on display — the discipline behind every product Confirel makes.

Working with CIRAD experts, Dr Hay Ly Eang developed a filtration and stabilisation system for Thnot palm sap that improved purity, prevented premature fermentation and preserved the sap's qualities. This breakthrough made it possible to produce palm sugar meeting international food safety standards, opening the way to certification, export markets and the Palme d'Or at Natexpo Paris in 2005.