SSPC: The Society for Protective Coatings was founded in 1950 as the Steel Structures Painting Council, a non-profit society concerned with the use of coatings to protect industrial steel structures. In 1997, the name of the association was changed to SSPC: The Society for Protective Coatings to better reflect the changing nature of coatings technology and the ever-expanding types of construction materials.

SSPC is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization focused on the protection and preservation of concrete, steel, and other industrial and marine structures and surfaces through the use of high-performance, protective, marine and industrial coatings. SSPC is the leading source of information on surface preparation, coating selection, coating application, environmental regulations, and health and safety issues that affect the protective coatings industry.