Highlights of the Program
2 days business program:
Learn from real-world case studies by industry leaders.
SHOWCASING INNOVATION:
Discover the latest technology and techniques from across the industry.
leaders talk:
Hear from top-level experts about how to stay ahead in a fast-changing industry.
MULTIPLE STREAMS:
A business program that is multi-disciplinary, giving you a broad view of the industry.
SMART TECHNOLOGIES:
Explore the latest smart and AI-driven solutions, and see how they can be used in your business.
roundtable discussion:
Join talks with industry peers. Share ideas, make connections, and find new partners.
Program
Day 1 :
MONDAY, 21 September, 2026
08:30 - 09:30
REGISTRATION AND MORNING REFRESHMENTS
09:30 - 09:40
OPENING ADDRESS
09:40 - 10:05
LITHIUM IN ARGENTINA AND THE WORLD: CONTEXT, PROJECTS, AND PROJECTIONS
Daniel Dreizzen
Aleph Energy
- Exploring key variables such as production, pricing trends, and capital expenditures in lithium markets
- A look at the current status and future projections of lithium projects in Argentina and globally
- Identifying critical challenges and bottlenecks impacting the growth and sustainability of the industry
10:05 - 10:10
Q&A SESSION ON LITHIUM INVESTMENTS, PROJECTS, AND PRODUCTION OUTLOOK
10:10 - 10:35
ARGENTINIAN LITHIUM: COMPETING AGAINST BIG OIL IN NORTH AMERICA
John Worth
Geo40
- Discussion on the shift from evaporation ponds to DLE and addressing technical and social challenges
- Enhancing lithium refining in Argentina to produce high-value materials and support the global demand
- Unlocking Argentina’s potential as a low-cost leader in lithium production using DLE
- Mitigating investment risks by proving DLE efficiency and showcasing long-term viability
10:35 - 10:40
Q&A SESSION ON ARGENTINA’S POTENTIAL AS THE GREENEST, LOWEST-COST LITHIUM SOURCE
10:40 - 11:00
MORNING COFFEE BREAK IN THE EXHIBIT AREA
Sponsored By MYANDE GROUP
11:00 - 11:30
PANEL DISCUSSION ON SUSTAINABLE LITHIUM EXTRACTION: NAVIGATING COMMERCIAL CHALLENGES AND ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS
- Direct lithium extraction’s impact, efficiency, timeline, cost savings, and role in battery metals amid EV uncertainties
- Addressing socio-environmental challenges and recent advancements in lithium mining, with a focus on DLE sustainability and impacts
- Evaluating the environmental impact of lithium production in Chile while addressing regulatory challenges and hydrogeological balance
- Regional dynamics, workforce commitment, and market trends shaping the long-term sustainability of lithium production
- Innovations tackling commercial and environmental challenges in sustainable lithium extraction amid regulatory, costs, and market pressures
| Geo40 | Moderator
| Resources Energy Consulting
| Seeking Alpha
| SLB
| Wood
| Lithios
11:30 - 11:55
THE PATH TO SCALE – LILAC’S FIELD OPERATIONS
Felipe De Mussy
Lilac Solutions
- Highlighting recent advancements in Lilac’s technology and their impact on lithium extraction efficiency
- Sharing key insights from operations at the Argentina Demonstration Plant and lessons learned
- Presenting ongoing projects in Utah and the roadmap toward full-scale commercial deployment
11:55 - 12:00
Q&A SESSION ON STRATEGIES FOR COMMERCIALISATION OF DLE TECH
12:00 - 13:30
NETWORKING LUNCH AND VISITING THE DIRECT LITHIUM EXTRACTION EXHIBITION
13:30 - 13:55
EURODIA – A SUCCESS STORY DELIVERING DLE TECHNOLOGY
Didier Livadaris
Eurodia
- Insights from operating a pilot plant for four years and commissioning an industrial DLE plant in Argentina
- Updates on new projects, including two DLE units and a geothermal lithium extraction demo plant
- Support services and operational guidance to enhance DLE plant efficiency and outcomes
13:55 - 14:00
Q&A SESSION ON GEOTHERMAL LITHIUM EXTRACTION AND INDUSTRIAL DLE PLANTS
14:00 - 14:25
EXTRACTION EVOLUTION – SUSTAINABLE AND INTEGRATED LITHIUM PRODUCTION SOLUTIONS
Agatha Carlin
SLB
- The role of direct lithium extraction in addressing supply chain and environmental challenges
- Methods for recovering lithium from unconventional sources, such as brines and seawater
- Advantages of integrating advanced energy and water technologies for DLE success
- Results from SLB’s Clayton Valley demonstration plant, highlighting end-to-end solutions
14:25 - 14:30
Q&A SESSION ON EXPLORATION, LITHIUM EXTRACTION, PURIFICATION, CONCENTRATION, AND CONVERSION
14:30 - 15:00
AFTERNOON COFFEE BREAK IN THE EXHIBIT AREA
Sponsored By JIUWU HI-TECH
15:00 - 15:25
SOLVENT EXTRACTION – A SOLUTION FOR INCREASED Li RECOVERY
Alejandro Quilodran
Syensqo
- Overview of solvent extraction as an effective method for lithium recovery
- Introducing CYANEX® 936P for lithium extraction from brine
- Improving lithium recovery in existing plants using traditional or emerging DLE technologies
- Key findings from pilot and demonstrative plant studies on efficiency and scalability
15:25 - 15:30
Q&A SESSION ON ADVANCED PROCESSES FOR OPTIMISING LITHIUM RECOVERY
15:30 - 15:55
THE TRANSITION FROM ‘COLUMNS AND RESIN’ TO A FULLY INTEGRATED Li EXTRACTION PROCESS
Paul Barbaro
Summit Nanotech
- Understanding the shift from standalone equipment to an integrated lithium processing system for efficiency
- Strategies to optimise lithium yield while reducing operational costs in large-scale production
- Reviewing the latest advancements in designing commercial-scale lithium extraction systems
15:55 - 16:00
Q&A SESSION ON INTEGRATED LITHIUM EXTRACTION AND PROCESS OPTIMISATION
16:00 - 16:25
DIRECT LITHIUM EXTRACTION TECHNOLOGY BASED ON ADSORPTION AND MEMBRANE SEPARATION
Junjie Gu
Jiuwu Hi-Tech
- Examining Jiuwu Hi-Tech’s advancements in lithium extraction
- Outlining the DLE process based on adsorption and membrane separation
- Industrial progress and real-world applications of DLE technology in China
16:25 - 16:30
Q&A SESSION ON OPTIMAL ADSORPTION AND MEMBRANE SEPARATION IN DLE TECHNOLOGY
16:30 - 17:30
NETWORKING DRINKS RECEPTION
Day 2 :
TUESDAY, 22 September, 2026
09:00 - 09:30
MORNING REFRESHMENTS
09:30 - 09:40
OPENING ADDRESS
09:40 - 10:05
EVALUATION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF BEST PRACTICES FOR LITHIUM PLANTS IN ARGENTINA
Luis Rangel
Wood
- Workforce development strategies for lithium plant projects in Argentina
- Transitioning to modern cultural approaches from FEL1 to commissioning and start-up
- Addressing challenges and creating synergy between EPCM firms, contractors, and operators
10:05 - 10:10
Q&A SESSION ON ADVANCED LITHIUM PLANTS AND WORKFORCE TRANSFORMATION
10:10 - 10:35
TERRITORIAL TRANSFORMATIONS AND THE DEVELOPMENT AGENDA IN LITHIUM EXTRACTION
Diana Méndez
INSUCO
- Examining how lithium extraction reshapes local economies, communities, and governance: Territorial Transformations Observatory as a tool for sustainable management
- Gaining insights into strategic approaches to balance economic growth, social welfare, and environmental care
- Showcasing the best practices, lessons learned, and effective community engagement strategies
10:35 - 10:40
Q&A SESSION ON THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND SOCIAL WELFARE IN THE ARGENTINIAN LITHIUM INDUSTRY
10:40 - 11:05
LITIAR: SUSTAINABLE E-DLE TECHNOLOGY
Ernesto Calvo
UBA-COICET
- Developing modular and adaptable e-DLE technology to enhance lithium recovery at different scales
- Testing bench-scale reactors, simulating complex processes, and identifying key performance indicators
- Validating the efficiency by analysing real-world brine samples from multiple lithium-rich regions
- Reducing energy use, fresh water consumption, and waste with a clean, cost-effective extraction process
11:05 - 11:10
Q&A SESSION ON SUSTAINABLE ELECTROCHEMICAL LITHIUM EXTRACTION
11:10 - 11:30
MORNING COFFEE BREAK IN THE EXHIBIT AREA
Sponsored By AQUATECH
11:30 - 11:55
BATTERY GRADE LI2CO3 OPTIMISED CONVERSION AT LOWEST CAPEX AND OPEX
Grant Thornley
Forward Water Technologies
- Illustrating technologies and process paths for converting LiCl eluate to battery-grade Li₂CO₃
- Economic challenges disqualifying certain technologies due to high CAPEX, OPEX, or project viability
- High-level modelling of mass balances and energy requirements in post-DLE operations
- Case study on producing battery-grade Li₂CO₃ without thermal evaporation or crystallisation
11:55 - 12:00
Q&A SESSION ON OPTIMISED LITHIUM CARBONATE CONVERSION PROCESSES
12:00 - 12:25
OARO BRINE CONCENTRATION MEMBRANES
Nobuyuki Masumoto
TOYOBO-MC
- Investigating how OARO enhances resource recovery by efficiently concentrating highly saline water with lower energy use
- Chlorine-resistant hollow fibre membranes, minimising biofouling and ensuring long-term performance
- Commercial applications, including zero liquid discharge, lithium recovery, and food-grade salt production
- OARO’s role in lithium-ion battery recycling and integration with DLE systems for cost-effective lithium concentration
12:25 - 12:30
Q&A SESSION ON NEW FRONTIERS IN TECHNOLOGY FOR RESOURCE RECOVERY
12:30 - 12:55
DLE SORBENT SELECTION AND CONTINUOUS PROCESSES FOR WATER SAVING AND ENHANCED PURITY
Verónica Pengue
Inquinat S.A.
- Reviewing how brine composition influences sorbent selection in DLE technologies
- Demonstrating the benefits of continuous processes for improving water efficiency and lithium purity
12:55 - 13:00
Q&A SESSION ON BRINE COMPOSITION, SORBENT SELECTION, AND LITHIUM PURITY
13:00 - 13:15
FEEDBACK & RAFFLE DRAW
13:15 - 14:30
NETWORKING LUNCH
Become a Speaker & Join the Conversation
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