The Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Northeastern Pennsylvania (BFTP-NEP) Board of Directors has approved the investment of $136,000 in support of regional economic development. BFTP-NEP owns and manages Ben Franklin TechVentures, Lehigh University, Bethlehem. Ben Franklin Tech investments total $639,055 so far in 2016.

Following are the investments approved for firms in the Lehigh Valley Press circulation area.

Ben Franklin announces the following early-stage company investment in the form of loans with warrants:

eCO2Dye, LLC,Allentown. Ben Franklin Investment: $26,000. Commercialize a new process for the waterless dyeing of fabrics, threads and yarns for sales to clothing manufacturers and textile companies. Practices utilize large amounts of energy and water. With the developing worldwide water shortage, the industry is seeking to reduce water usage. Using supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO2) in a proprietary way, the new process eliminates water use and reduces energy consumption, drying time, amount of dye used and waste.

Ben Franklin announces the following established manufacturer company investments with 1:1 matching funding for work with a college or university partner on technology-based manufacturing innovation in established manufacturers:

Bazzini LLC,Allentown. University Partner: Lehigh University Enterprise Systems Center. Ben Franklin Investment: $25,000. Streamline production line, reduce waste and increase productivity at this producer of nuts, dried fruits and confections.

Brentwood Industries, Inc.,Reading. University Partner: Lehigh University Enterprise Systems Center. Ben Franklin Investment: $25,000. Complete manufacturing process improvements in scheduling, capacity and plant layout as well as efficiency and yield to support Brentwood’s new contract in the transportation industry. Brentwood produces custom thermoformed plastic for consumer, manufacturing and environmental applications.

Ben Franklin has also approved the investment of $303,055 in support of regional economic development. Ben Franklin announces the following early-stage company investments in the form of loans with warrants:

4th Generation Resins, LLC,Bethlehem. Ben Franklin Investment: $23,500. Conduct a market study and advance the development of proprietary specialty ion exchange resins used in the purification and production of pharmaceuticals, biotech products and other special-application materials.

MBD Medical, LLC,Bethlehem. Ben Franklin Investment: $50,000. Conduct a series of trials to provide clinical feedback from selected surgeons on benefits of using MBD’s plate and screw platform technology. MBD Medical designs, produces and sells surgical products for clavicle fractures and common injuries.

Ben Franklin announces the following established manufacturer company investments with 1:1 matching funding for work with a college or university partner on technology-based manufacturing innovation in established manufacturers:

Behr Process Corp.Allentown. University Partner: Lehigh University’s Enterprise Systems Center. Ben Franklin Investment: $11,000. Develop a new manufacturing process at this producer of premium architectural coatings.

Belrick Corp.,Swoyersville, Luzerne County. College Partner: Northampton Community College Emerging Technology Applications Center. Ben Franklin Investment: $8,555. Assess manufacturing operations at this producer of custom-machined parts to improve productivity and reduce costs.

Lee’s Oriental Gourmet Foods,Shenandoah, Schuylkill County. University Partner: Lehigh University Enterprise Systems Center. Ben Franklin Investment: $10,000. Enhance production capacity at this USDA-approved producer of Asian frozen food specialties to meet growing sales.

Ben Franklin has also approved the investment of $200,000 in support of regional economic development.

Ben Franklin announces the following established manufacturer company investments with 1:1 matching funding for work with a college or university partner on technology-based manufacturing innovation in established manufacturers:

Applied Separations, Inc.,Allentown. College Partner: Lafayette College. Ben Franklin Investment: $25,000. Develop and implement a new process for dry dyeing textiles for sales to clothing manufacturers and textile companies in cooperation with business partner, the Halide Group.

Effort Foundry, Inc.,Bath, Northampton County. University Partner: Lehigh University Enterprise Systems Center. Ben Franklin Investment: $25,000. Implement improved production methods and upgrade manufacturing tracking processes at this supplier of high-integrity steel castings for the pump, power generation, and military industries.

FMI,Allentown. University Partner: Lehigh University Enterprise Systems Center. Ben Franklin Investment: $25,000. Upgrade FMI’s Enterprise Resource Planning system to accommodate growth so the company can operate more efficiently and access new opportunities with larger customers. FMI provides contract manufacturing for its clients in the personal, home, and pet care markets.

Since beginning operation, BFTP-NEP has helped to create 16,986 new jobs for Pennsylvania workers and to retain 23,761 existing jobs, to start 482 new companies, and to develop 1,433 new products and processes. BFTP-NEP clients have generated $1.424 billion in follow-on funding since 2007. The Pennsylvania Ben Franklin Technology Partners network has returned $3.60 to the state treasury for every $1 invested in the program. Ben Franklin Technology Partners is an initiative of the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development and is funded by the Ben Franklin Technology Development Authority.