Blogs

AMPP Brings Maritime Infrastructure Crisis to Capitol Hill for Advocacy Day 2025

WASHINGTON, D.C. – June 17, 2025 – According to a Department of Defense report, corrosion costs the U.S. military more than $22.5 billion annually, weakening Navy ships and infrastructure, undermining shipyard readiness, and threatening the modernization of America’s maritime capabilities. As global adversaries ramp up naval investment, the U.S. must act now to protect its readiness, starting with the materials that hold it all together. That’s why the Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP), the leading global authority in corrosion control and protective coatings, is convening experts, engineers and industry leaders in Washington, D.C., ...

The AREA Welcomes AMPP as a Member

BOSTON, MA – JUNE 13, 2025 – The Augmented Reality for Enterprise Alliance (AREA) today announced that the Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP) has joined the consortium. AMPP, the leading global authority in corrosion control and protective coatings, focuses strategically on advancing digital transformation in sectors critical to public safety and national security, including defense, energy, and maritime infrastructure. AMPP joined AREA to help integrate augmented reality (AR) technologies into its core markets, where immersive, real-time tools are poised to transform workforce training, asset lifecycle management, and field operations. ...

Discover What’s New and What’s Next in AMPP Certifications During June 19 Webcast

Houston, Texas – (June 10, 2025) — The Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP), the leading global authority in materials protection and performance, invites industry professionals to its upcoming free webcast, Certifications in Focus: What’s New, What’s Next, and How to Stay Ahead, at 2 p.m. EDT on Thursday, June 19, 2025 . Led by Silvia Palmieri, Certification Community Development Specialist at AMPP, this informative one-hour session will highlight the latest updates in the AMPP Certification portfolio, introduce the new Fusion Bonded Epoxy (FBE) certification, and explore how AMPP’s Technical Communities of Interest (TCI) ...

AMPP Awarded Gates Foundation Grant to Advance Workforce Development in Maritime and Technical Trades

Houston, Texas – (June 9, 2025) — The Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP) , the leading global authority in corrosion control and protective coatings, has been selected as one of only six organizations nationwide to receive a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation , as part of Credential Engine’s second round of subgrantees working to improve education-to-workforce pathways. Through this grant, AMPP will support the Regional Maritime Training System (RMTS) in Hampton Roads, Virginia—home to the fastest-growing port on the East Coast—where employers must fill more than 11,000 critical trade positions. In collaboration ...

AMPP Launches Shipbuilding Network/USA to Support Reshoring, Workforce Growth and National Security

Houston, Texas – (May 29, 2025) — The Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP) today announced the formation of the AMPP Shipbuilding Network/USA , a new initiative designed to support the resurgence of American shipbuilding in alignment with recent U.S. Congressional legislation and a White House Executive Order focused on reshoring critical manufacturing and defense infrastructure. As interest grows across sectors in revitalizing U.S. maritime capabilities, AMPP has been actively collaborating with peer organizations to learn from one another on emerging policy and industry shifts related to shipbuilding, repair, maintenance, and modernization. ...

CEO INTERVIEW SERIES: A Conversation with Mark Schultz of Sherwin-Williams on Maritime Innovation and Naval Partnerships

Our CEO Interview Series returns with another timely conversation between AMPP CEO Alan Thomas and a respected voice in the world of protective coatings and corrosion control. In this installment, Alan connects with Mark Schultz, government marine manager at Sherwin-Williams, to explore the dynamic role of coatings in naval operations, commercial vessels and the broader modernization of maritime practices. With more than two decades of hands-on collaboration with the U.S. Navy and Department of Defense, Schultz has been instrumental in advancing marine coatings technologies that meet both high-performance demands and stringent regulatory requirements. As ...

AMPP Launches New Fusion-Bonded Epoxy (FBE) Coating Course to Strengthen Workforce Training and Industry Standards

Certification exam to follow; program designed with and for industry to enhance safety, sustainability, asset integrity Houston, Texas – (May 12, 2025) — The Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP), the global authority in corrosion control and protective coatings, has launched a new Fusion Bonded Epoxy (FBE): Application and Inspection course . Designed to meet growing industry demand for qualified professionals, this course addresses a critical training gap across the FBE value chain. The course provides foundational knowledge in the application, inspection, evaluation, and testing of plant-applied single- and dual-layer external ...

AMPP Endorses Bipartisan SHIPS for America Act, Citing Shipbuilding as Key to National Security and Economic Resilience

Washington, D.C.– (April 30, 2025) — The Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP), the leading global authority in corrosion control and protective coatings, has officially endorsed the reintroduction of the Shipbuilding and Harbor Infrastructure for Prosperity and Security (SHIPS) for America Act , a bipartisan bill aimed at revitalizing the U.S. shipbuilding and commercial maritime industries. Championed by U.S. Senators Mark Kelly (D-AZ) and Todd Young (R-IN) , along with Representatives John Garamendi (D-CA-8) and Trent Kelly (R-MS-1) , the legislation underscores the urgent need to rebuild the nation’s maritime capacity, enhance ...

AMPP Leadership Participates in Historic White House Meeting on Strengthening U.S. Shipbuilding

Washington, D.C. – (April 22, 2025) — The Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP) , the global authority on materials protection and performance, took a historic and critical step forward in national defense advocacy today as CEO Alan Thomas and Chief of Advocacy Helena Seelinger met with staff from the White House National Security Council (NSC) to discuss how workforce development, research, and advanced materials protection are essential to revitalizing America’s maritime industrial base and strengthening the future of U.S. shipbuilding. The meeting focused on how AMPP’s internationally recognized workforce training programs and ...

From Rust to Risk: Global Campaign Urges Action on $2.5 Trillion Corrosion Crisis

AMPP, WCO, and EFC launch World Corrosion Awareness Day 2025 campaign to spotlight unseen threats to infrastructure, safety and national security Houston, Texas – (April 22, 2025) — Corrosion may look like rust, but its consequences are far more severe. As part of a global campaign for World Corrosion Awareness Day (WCAD) on April 24, 2025, the Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP) , in collaboration with the World Corrosion Organization (WCO) and the European Federation of Corrosion (EFC) , is sounding the alarm on an issue that silently undermines public safety, weakens critical infrastructure, and costs the global economy ...

AMPP Annual Conference + Expo 2025 Delivers Energy and Industry Momentum in Music City

HOUSTON, TEXAS – (April 21, 2025) — The Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP) welcomed 5,541 attendees from 59 countries and all 50 U.S. states, including Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico, to its Annual Conference + Expo 2025, held at the Music City Center in Nashville, Tennessee. This year’s event brought together professionals from across the corrosion and coatings industries for four days of education, innovation, and connection. The conference featured 370 exhibiting companies across 67,000 net square feet, 45 industry sponsors, and an expansive lineup of technical sessions, panels, and networking opportunities. Attendees explored cutting-edge ...

AMPP Joins Global Effort to Spotlight the Importance of Corrosion Prevention

Understanding the Impact of Corrosion: A Global Call to Action The Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP) is proud to partner with the World Corrosion Organization (WCO) and the European Federation of Corrosion (EFC) for World Corrosion Awareness Day (WCAD) 2025. This annual campaign unites professionals, industries, and researchers in raising awareness about the often-overlooked but critically important corrosion issue. Corrosion is a worldwide challenge, impacting infrastructure, energy, transportation, and water systems. If left unchecked, it leads to serious safety risks, environmental concerns, and financial losses ...

AMPP Stands Ready to Support U.S. Navy’s Push to Streamline Shipbuilding

Houston, Texas – (March 26, 2025) — The Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP), the global authority on materials protection and performance, strongly supports the U.S. Navy’s call for modernization, workforce development, and improved supply chain performance to strengthen the shipbuilding enterprise and maintain global readiness. As outlined in recent Senate testimony by Navy leaders, the path to delivering warships on time and within budget hinges on strategic collaboration with industrial partners, smarter contracting approaches, and a skilled, safety-conscious workforce. “From corrosion control and coatings inspection to materials ...

AMPP Supports NTSB Call for Bridge Risk Assessments to Prevent Future Collapses

Houston, Texas – (March 21, 2025) — The Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP), the global authority on materials protection and performance, expresses strong support for the National Transportation Safety Board ’s (NTSB) recent call for immediate vulnerability assessments on 68 U.S. bridges, as detailed in the agency’s ongoing investigation into the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse in Baltimore. The NTSB’s findings underscore the urgent need to evaluate infrastructure with unprotected piers and elevated risk profiles, particularly bridges built before 1991 and spanning active cargo ship waterways. The investigation revealed that ...

AMPP Launches Unified Digital Library on the Silverchair Platform

Houston, Texas – (March 13, 2025) — Silverchair and the Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP) announced the launch of the new AMPP (content) Store on the Silverchair Platform. The new site serves as a repository for AMPP's vast range of content, including primary research, use cases, industry standards, and technical and professional publications. AMPP is the world's leading organization dedicated to protecting assets and performance materials through member and workforce education and credentialing, company accreditation, technological innovation, and global standardization. As part of their broader organizational transformation initiative ...

CEO INTERVIEW SERIES: A Conversation with Dr. Gerald Frankel

AMPP is excited to introduce a new interview series where our CEO, Alan Thomas, sits down with notable industry figures to uncover invaluable insights from some of the brightest minds in materials protection and performance. From academics and researchers to AMPP board members, to the boots-on-the-ground professionals and world-class industry experts shaping the future of our field, our goal is to highlight their achievements, share their perspectives and bring fresh, thought-provoking discussions to our community. For the first installment of this series, Alan had the privilege of speaking with Dr. Gerald Frankel—one of the most respected voices in ...

AMPP Launches New Philanthropic Organization for Workforce Development and Streamlines Governance to Address Emerging Global Challenges

Houston, Texas – (Jan. 29, 2025) — The Association for Materials Protection and Performance announces its creation of a nonprofit philanthropic organization focused solely on workforce development and changes to AMPP’s governance system that allow greater focus on emerging and global opportunities. “This is a critical time for any industry impacted by workplace recruitment and retention issues,” stated AMPP CEO Alan Thomas. “So many companies are facing workforce challenges that can affect public safety, sustainability programs, and even a nation’s security. Therefore, AMPP is taking immediate steps to support workforce needs by transitioning the former ...

Materials Performance Hires Mersedeh Akhoondan as Technical Editor

Houston, Texas and Pittsburgh, Pa. – (Jan. 27, 2025) — Dr. Mersedeh Akhoondan is joining the Materials Performance (MP) team as technical editor to replac e Jack Tinnea, MP’s long-time technical editor. Tinnea is retiring in April 2025. In this role, Akhoondan will be responsible for selecting and reviewing MP’s technical articles. She will collaborate with authors, members, and the magazine’s editorial advisory board to provide readers with timely and accurate technical content. Dr. Akhoondan has over 15 years of experience in corrosion control and condition assessment of water and wastewater facilities, bridge infrastructures, solar power plants, ...

MPI Announces 2025 Champion Award Recipients

Houston, Texas and Pittsburgh, Pa. — (Jan. 14, 2025)—The Master Painters Institute (MPI), a subsidiary of the Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP), has unveiled the recipients of its 2025 MPI Champion Awards, a groundbreaking program that celebrates paint and coatings manufacturers who are leading the industry in innovation, sustainability, education, and commitment. This inaugural class of champions includes manufacturers recognized across four prestigious categories: Product Performance Champions: Sherwin-Williams, Benjamin Moore and Co., and PPG Pittsburgh Paints Green Performance Champion: Behr Process Corporation Coatings ...

AMPP Announces 2025 Annual Service and Technical Awards Winners

Houston, Texas and Pittsburgh, Pa. – (Jan. 7, 2025) — The Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP), the global authority in materials protection and performance, proudly announces the recipients of its 2025 Annual Service and Technical Awards. These prestigious honors will be presented during the AMPP Annual Conference + Expo, scheduled for April 6-10, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. The awards highlight the exceptional achievements of individuals and organizations shaping the future of the corrosion and materials protection industry. "The AMPP Service and Technical Awards are a testament to the groundbreaking work and dedication of professionals ...