Blogs

Then & Now: From Air Force Apprentice to Corrosion Leader

NAVARRE, Florida – (Oct. 6, 2026) — Matt Dowden built his Air Force career one layer at a time, much like the protective systems he would come to understand so well. He began as an Aircraft Structural Maintenance Apprentice , focused on learning the basics: tools, technical orders, and keeping aircraft mission capable. Corrosion was part of the job description from day one. At first, it seemed procedural: inspect, document, treat, move on. But as his experience grew, so did his understanding that corrosion was far more than a task. It was a discipline directly tied to safety, readiness, and long-term fleet health. That realization took shape as he progressed ...

AMPP Launches New CCUS Course Focused on Materials Selection and Corrosion Control

HOUSTON, Texas – (Oct. 1, 2026) — As carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) projects advance, transporting and storing captured carbon dioxide introduces materials and corrosion challenges that must be considered throughout the life of the infrastructure. The Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP), the global authority in materials protection and performance, is launching a new online course to help engineers, integrity professionals and other industry stakeholders better understand and manage those risks. The Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS): Materials Selection and Corrosion Control eCourse provides practical ...

Then & Now: From Apprentice to Shipbuilding Leader

NEWPORT NEWS, Virginia – (Oct. 1, 2026) — For Dontrae Marquise Walls , a career in painting began as a simple apprenticeship, but it became so much more. Fresh out of high school in 2004, Dontrae joined Huntington Ingalls Industries ’ Newport News Shipbuilding as a painter and insulator apprentice. Though he had done a little house painting with his uncle as a teen, working on naval vessels was a whole new world. His first assignment was installing bulkhead thermal insulation on the aircraft carrier USS George H. W. Bush (CVN 77) . From there, the company’s six-month apprentice rotation exposed him to nearly every aspect of shipbuilding, from submarines ...

On International Podcast Day, AMPP Shares Global Voices and Practical Lessons in Materials Protection

HOUSTON, Texas – (Sept. 30, 2026) — A coatings inspector in the field, a pipeline integrity specialist and a researcher developing standards may approach different problems, but each has experience others can learn from. Today, on International Podcast Day, the Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP), the global authority in materials protection and performance, invites everyone to explore those conversations through its free podcast library . AMPP’s podcasts were downloaded or streamed over 15,000 times from July 2025 through June 2026, making for an approximate 23% increase over the same period from the previous year. Among the newest ...

Then & Now: From Painter Helper to Coatings Quality Leader

PASADENA, Maryland – (Sept. 28, 2026) — For Reese B. Scott Jr. , painting was never just a job. It was the start of a journey that would take him far beyond what he first imagined. His career in coatings began in 1999 at a small local auto body shop, where he worked part-time as a helper. At first, he was learning the basics: sanding, prepping, and assisting the senior painters. But his interest quickly grew. By the time he became an assistant painter, Reese was honing his skills in the shop and taking on side projects at home, painting cars and parts. That early experience built both his confidence and his passion for painting. “I always loved working ...

Then & Now: From Coatings Student to Industry Leader

SAN DIEGO, California – (Sept. 24, 2026) — Johnny Sanchez never imagined he'd find his future in protective coatings. In 1993, a job he took to meet his parole requirements put him on a path that would change his life. Johnny grew up in East Los Angeles and was raised by a single mother. His teenage years were difficult and included involvement with gangs and time in juvenile detention. When he was released from the California Youth Authority in 1993 at age 19, finding a job was a requirement of his parole. His mother's boyfriend helped him get his first job with Bay Decking Company at the Long Beach Naval Shipyard. He started at six dollars an hour and ...

2026 AMPP Eastern Conference Brings Pipeline Integrity and Corrosion Solutions to Myrtle Beach

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. – (Sept. 17, 2026) — Pipeline systems are evolving as operators confront aging infrastructure, changing operating environments, new technologies and emerging energy applications. The 2026 AMPP Eastern Conference , taking place Oct. 19–21 in Myrtle Beach, will bring the industry together to examine what those changes mean for corrosion control, pipeline integrity and long-term asset performance. Hosted by the AMPP Carolinas Chapter , the conference centers on the theme “Pipeline Integrity,” focusing on protecting what moves energy forward. “Pipeline integrity depends on people being able to share what they are seeing in the field, ...

AMPP Marks World Maritime Day 2026 by Putting Standards and Workforce at the Center of Maritime Excellence

HOUSTON, Texas – (Sept. 16, 2026) — Maritime policies can set expectations for safer, more sustainable and resilient shipping, but their impact ultimately depends on what happens in shipyards, aboard vessels, at ports and throughout the infrastructure that supports global maritime operations. As the global maritime community marks World Maritime Day 2026, the Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP) is highlighting the standards, workforce expertise and materials-protection practices that help turn those expectations into real-world performance. World Maritime Day 2026 Focuses on Moving Policy Into Practice The International Maritime ...

AMPP Western Conference Tackles the Challenges of Protecting Infrastructure in Extreme Environments

Renton, Washington – (September 2, 2026) — Harsh temperatures, corrosive marine exposure, remote locations and demanding operating conditions can push infrastructure and the systems designed to protect it to their limits. The 2026 AMPP Western Conference will bring corrosion and coatings professionals together November 16–18 in Renton, Washington, to examine how materials, technologies and protection strategies perform under anything but routine conditions. Hosted by the AMPP Greater Puget Sound Chapter , the conference will focus on Extreme Environments: Managing Challenges for Land, Maritime and Offshore Infrastructure. Owners, operators, engineers, ...

AMPP Fifth Anniversary Podcast Series Spotlights Global Experts Shaping Future of Materials Protection

Houston, Texas – (August 19, 2026) — Infrastructure owners around the world face many of the same challenges: extending asset life, improving reliability, adopting new technologies and preparing the next generation of professionals. While those challenges may look different from one industry or region to another, the value of sharing practical experience remains constant. That is the focus of a new four-part ambassador podcast series from the Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP), as part of the organization's Fifth Anniversary “Then and Now” podcast series. The episodes feature members of the 2026 AMPP Ambassador Class discussing ...

AMPP Launches Research Grant Program to Advance Maritime Decarbonization

Houston, Texas – (August 18, 2026) — The Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP), the global authority in materials protection and performance, is announcing its first research grant program of this type and requesting proposals to evaluate published knowledge and expertise relevant to the use of ammonia as a fuel for marine applications. The $50,000 initiative will fund an eight-month project to identify critical knowledge gaps and recommend priorities for future research, standards development, technology implementation and technical guidance. As the maritime industry pursues lower-carbon technologies to reduce emissions, ammonia is ...

AMPP Central Conference Brings Corrosion and Coatings Professionals to Saint Paul

Houston, Texas – (August 12, 2026) — The toughest corrosion challenges rarely have one-size-fits-all solutions. The AMPP Central Conference brings together corrosion prevention and industrial coatings professionals to share proven practices, discuss emerging technologies, and solve real-world asset integrity challenges. The conference will be held September 28–30, 2026, at the Saint Paul RiverCentre in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Hosted by the AMPP Twin Cities Chapter , the conference will examine the corrosion and coatings issues affecting pipelines, transmission infrastructure, industrial facilities and other critical assets. Technical sessions will combine ...

AMPP and Advanced Carbons Council Partner to Address Emerging Materials Performance Challenges

Houston, Texas – (August 11, 2026) — As hydrogen, carbon dioxide, ammonia, and other emerging technologies introduce new materials performance challenges across critical industries, the Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP) and the Advanced Carbons Council (ACC) are joining forces to help industry better understand and address evolving risks. The organizations have signed a three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to advance technical knowledge, standards development, research, and education at the intersection of advanced carbon materials and materials protection and performance. The collaboration will initially focus on carbon-enhanced ...

AMPP Relaunches Internal Corrosion Specialist Certification for Advanced Corrosion Professionals

Houston, Texas – (August 6, 2026) — Internal corrosion can create significant risks to asset integrity, personnel safety, environmental protection, and reliable operations, making the ability to identify, evaluate, and manage those risks an essential responsibility for experienced corrosion professionals. Following a comprehensive rewrite, the Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP) has relaunched its Internal Corrosion Specialist (ICS) Certification , restoring an advanced credential for experienced professionals seeking to validate their expertise in internal corrosion management. The ICS certification confirms that credential holders ...

AMPP enters Memorandum of Understanding with the American Water Works Association

Houston, Texas - Recognizing the importance of protecting assets from corrosion in water and wastewater systems, the Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP) and the American Water Works Association (AWWA) today announced an agreement to collaborate to benefit their members and the wider public. The cooperative agreement will “help to promulgate knowledge and technologies that protect people, assets and the environment from the effects of corrosion.” It opens the door for cooperation on events and webinars, technical information exchange and research, and the possibility of collaboration in countries outside of the United States and Canada, ...

AMPP Supports the Bipartisan Advancement of WRDA 2026 to Strengthen America's Water Infrastructure

Houston, Texas – (July 27, 2026) — The Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP), the global authority in materials protection and performance, applauds the ongoing bipartisan advancement of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2026. This follows unanimous approval by both the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. The legislation approves important investments and policy updates to support the nation’s ports, inland waterways, flood protection, drinking water, wastewater systems, and other water projects. As Congress continues considering this legislation, ...

Avik Samanta, Ph.D., Awarded AMPP’s Prestigious 2026 Dr. A. John Sedriks Seed Grant

Houston, Texas – (July 23, 2026) — The Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP), the global authority in materials protection and performance, has named Avik Samanta, Ph.D. , Assistant Professor in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at the University of South Florida, as the distinguished recipient of the 2026 Dr. A. John Sedriks Seed Grant. His proposal, "Laser-Textured, Thermally Healable PFAS-Free Superhydrophobic Metal Alloy Surfaces for Durable Corrosion Protection," focuses on developing sustainable, PFAS-free self-healing surfaces that can restore corrosion resistance after mechanical damage. The funding will ...

AMPP Applauds $10 Billion Federal Investment to Strengthen U.S. Defense Industrial Base

Houston, Texas – (July 16, 2026) — As the United States works to strengthen its defense industrial base and modernize military capabilities, the Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP), the global authority in materials protection and performance, welcomes the announcement of approximately $10 billion in planned federal investment supporting shipbuilding, munitions production, advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence, robotics, and other critical defense capabilities. AMPP highlights maintaining these investments through industry-leading corrosion mitigation practices, workforce training and development, and ensuring asset integrity ...

AMPP to Host Webcast on Next-Generation Maritime Corrosion Technologies

Houston, Texas – (July 16, 2026) — As maritime organizations face growing pressure to improve asset performance, address workforce shortages, meet evolving regulatory expectations, and extend the life of critical infrastructure, emerging technologies are transforming how corrosion is managed across the industry. The Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP), the world's leading authority on corrosion control and protective coatings, will host an upcoming webcast exploring how robotics, digitalization, and data-driven asset management are helping shipowners, operators, shipyards, and defense organizations modernize corrosion prevention and ...

Safeguarding the Future of Green Ports: NTUA Secures Grant to Advance Safe and Resilient Infrastructure for Maritime Electrification

GLOBAL NEWS RELEASE – (July 15, 2026) — The Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP) is proud to support AEGIS ( A dvanced Protection for Maritim E Infrastructure and G lobally Susta I nable S hore Power), a new international research initiative led by the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA) and funded by Lloyd's Register Foundation . The five-year project will examine corrosion and electrical safety challenges associated with shore power systems, helping advance the safe and sustainable electrification of ports worldwide. As a project partner, AMPP will contribute corrosion and materials protection expertise, technical resources, ...