About Us

Fred Pinczuk co-founded ecogenesis biopolymers in 2024 and serves as the organization’s Chief Technology Officer (CTO). Fred is a seasoned expert in plastic manufacturing and processing, with over 30 years of experience in industrial manufacturing and commercial applications.

In 2021, Fred co-founded Beyond Plastic, LLC, serving as CTO in a research and development lab focused on accelerating the commercial use of polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) biopolymers across various applications.

Fred began his career in the 1990s working for international equipment brands based in Ontario, Canada, which led him to Luxembourg, managing a territory that spanned India, South Africa, Scandinavia, and beyond.

His first role in the U.S. came in the early 2000s, where he became involved in the early stages of biopolymers within the packaging industry. He later served as a plant manager for multiple PET packaging facilities, including POM Wonderful.

In 2008, Fred transitioned to consumer goods, becoming Director of Operations for Neuro Brands in the EU and North America. He also held the role of COO for Core Hydration LLC, while offering consulting services to other brands.

Darlene Barbee is an operations executive with over 30 years’ experience in leading and managing diverse work teams and companies. She has a proven track record of driving revenue, increasing operational efficiency and creating thriving infrastructures.

In 2024, she co-founded ecogenesis biopolymers to commercialize products utilizing biomaterials, specifically polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) and plant-based thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU).

Prior to co-founding ecogenesis biopolymers in 2024, Darlene served as the COO at Beyond Plastic, an R&D and commercialization company that created formulas and products utilizing PHA.

She spent ~15 years in the food & beverage industry, most notably building a $50mil revenue stream for Zico Coconut Water and launching a few startup beverages for confidential clients. It was while in food & beverage that Darlene saw the impact of microplastics and the need for biomaterials that are truly biodegradable.

Darlene’s first notable role was as General Manager of Century Index, where she led a complete manufacturing plant remodel based on Lean and Six Sigma methodologies. She then went on to add Sales, Service, and Contracting efficiencies to the weapons accessory company, Surefire.