Due to his extensive experience and technical expertise, Dr. Facklam has set the course for continuity in the department's activities: After completing an apprenticeship as a roofer, Martin Facklam studied mechanical engineering with a specialisation in plastics technology at RWTH Aachen University. He then worked as a research assistant in plastics joining technology at IKV and completed his doctorate on the topic of "Welding of thermally highly conductive thermoplastics on the example of graphite composites". Most recently, he acted as head of department and very successfully shaped a broad research field around extrusion and rubber technology.
With his new position, he succeeds Dipl.-Ing. Leo Wolters, a well-known expert for training and further education in plastics technology in the craft and industrial sectors. Together with numerous partners and a large network, Martin Facklam will continue and expand the successfully pusued path of the education and training department.
Leo Wolters has helped to form and shape the Institute in various and outstanding ways through his many years of involvement in the management of IKV. In particular, he was intensively involved in the development of qualification measures for the plastics industry and led the training and further education department to certification of its quality management according to ISO 9001:2015.
Quality is a decisive success factor in the craft sector and requires not only craftsmanship but also sound specialist knowledge. Leo Wolters continuously expanded the necessary range of training and further education: numerous certified training courses are attributable to him. After a reorganisation of the department in 2000, he succeeded in expanding the nationwide number of plastics training centres supervised by IKV to currently 44 - with more than 110 trainers they ensure a high quality of teaching. The qualification measures are attended by more than 20,000 participants every year and are also very much in demand internationally.
Leo Wolters retired on 31 December 2021 after 38 years of service at IKV. However, he will remain active as a proven expert in many national and international committees until the end of 2022 and will be available to the institute in an advisory function.