Fortera supplies low-carbon cement to Simpson University

Green cement manufacturer Fortera, based in Redding, California, is providing 18 metric tons of ReAct, a low-carbon “green” cement made from industrial carbon dioxide emissions, to Simpson University for its new Business, Technology and Engineering building, which houses the Maurice & Marianne Johannessen Veteran Success Center (VSC) and STEM program facilities, including new engineering and technology labs.

The green cement will be mixed with ordinary cement at a 10 percent blend and used in the concrete for the VSC’s slab and footings, Fortera says, reducing nearly 13 tons of embodied CO₂. 

Fortera’s ReAct product supplied for this project was produced at its Redding ReCarb Plant, Fortera’s first commercial facility that directly captures carbon emissions from cement production to make ready-to-use green cement. 

“Partnering with Simpson University—a valued institution in the community—to support both their STEM and veterans outreach programs is a tremendous honor for us,” Fortera CEO Ryan Gilliam says. “It's especially meaningful that this first pour is happening in Redding, where our plant has been five years in the making. We're committed to making a positive impact in our ... community and proud to contribute to the foundation—both figuratively and literally—of education, veteran success, and sustainable infrastructure."

Simpson University broke ground on the project in May 2024 and has raised $8 million for its construction, with an expected opening in fall 2026. 

This project was supported by Redding concrete company Shasta Redi-Mix, which supplied the concrete for the project.