An industrial coating is a paint or coating defined by its protective, rather than its aesthetic properties, although it can provide both.

The most common use of protective coatings is for corrosion control of steel structures such as offshore platforms, bridges and underground pipelines.

A typical coating system may include a primer, an intermediate coat, and a top coat. The polymer film acts as a physical barrier between the steel substrate and the corrosive environment such as atmosphere, water and soil.