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, JUNE 8, 2026
08:00 - 08:50
REGISTRATION AND MORNING REFRESHMENTS
08:50 - 09:00
OPENING ADDRESS
09:00 - 09:25
DIRECT LITHIUM EXTRACTION: TAILORED TECHNOLOGIES FOR HIGHER YIELD AND PURITY
Tirtha Chatterjee
DuPont
- Integrated DLE process pathways combining sorbents, ion exchange, and membrane technologies
- Divalent ion removal approaches supporting consistent high-purity lithium product output
- Efficient dewatering steps enabling higher lithium concentration and improved sorbent productivity
- Sequencing and data-backed design insights, reducing complexity and accelerating commercialization
09:25 - 09:30
Q&A SESSION ON IMPROVING DLE YIELD, PURITY, AND COMMERCIAL READINESS
09:30 - 09:55
ACCELERATING AND DE-RISKING DLE SCALE-UP THROUGH SCIENCE-BASED DIGITAL TWINS
Amit Goda
Siemens Digital Industries Software
- Science-based process models reducing reliance on costly pilots and experimental campaigns
- First-principles simulation defining operating windows, design margins, and early scale-up risks
- Extending digital twins into operations to support commissioning, optimization, and ongoing decision-making
09:55 - 10:00
Q&A SESSION ON DIGITAL TWINS FOR DLE SCALE-UP AND OPERATIONS
10:00 - 10:30
SPEED NETWORKING SESSION
- Exchange business cards and get connected in short one-to-one meetings
- Start the conversation to arrange a more formal meeting later on in the conference
- Share your professional background and discuss your biggest business issues – don't forget your business cards!
10:30 - 11:00
MORNING COFFEE BREAK IN THE EXHIBIT AREA
Sponsored By HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, LLC
11:00 - 11:30
PANEL DISCUSSION ON SUSTAINABLE LITHIUM EXTRACTION: NAVIGATING COMMERCIAL CHALLENGES AND ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS
- Strengthening cross-functional collaboration to accelerate strategic initiatives and deliver greater organizational impact
- Advancing DLE sustainability through water efficiency, energy optimization, and innovative process integration technologies
- Focusing on US federal permitting, the Nevada context, Tech Hub guidance, and Tribal consultation engagement
- Evaluating performance criteria and project fundamentals driving scalable and successful DLE deployment
| AFS Engineering & Consulting
| DuPont
| University of Nevada
| Chemionex Inc.
11:30 - 11:55
STUDY OF ELECTROCHEMICAL LITHIUM EXTRACTION FROM DOMESTIC OILFIELD BRINE
Xinge Zhang
National Research Council of Canada
- Commercial adsorbent selection and characterization for lithium recovery applications
- Electrode formulation, fabrication approaches, and electrochemical test platform development
- Test results and parameter studies covering lithium concentration, temperature, and pH
- Adsorbent performance in real oilfield brines and discussion of conclusions and future outlook
11:55 - 12:00
Q&A SESSION ON ADVANCING ELECTROCHEMICAL APPROACHES FOR LITHIUM RECOVERY
12:00 - 12:25
OPTIMIZING DLE PROCESSES WITH ADVANCED MEMBRANES
Josh Dewanaga
Veolia
- Nanofiltration modelling and pilot testing approaches, reducing chemical use and improving DLE process stability
- Advanced RO brine concentration simulation, maximizing lithium recovery while lowering energy demands
- Insights from recent DLE membrane projects, optimizing performance and ensuring reliable operations
12:25 - 12:30
Q&A SESSION ON IMPROVING BRINE TREATMENT IN DLE
12:30 - 13:30
NETWORKING LUNCH AND VISITING THE DIRECT LITHIUM EXTRACTION EXHIBITION
13:30 - 13:55
DLE TECH: DELIVERING 20,000 TPA ASSETS FOR 100M USD
Rory Coventry
Geo40 Limited
- Demonstrating how fast kinetic ion exchange performance reduces capital costs in DLE project development
- Simplifying lithium conversion by producing high-purity concentrated LiCl eluate for downstream processing
- Enabling reliable extraction from complex produced water brines in oil and gas environments
13:55 - 14:00
Q&A SESSION ON REDUCING COSTS AND COMPLEXITY IN DLE PROJECT DELIVERY
14:00 - 14:25
DE-RISKING DLE THROUGH DIGITAL TWINS: SCALING AND OPTIMIZING SMB SYSTEMS
Katherine Ann Wymbs
Summit Nanotech Ltd.
- Detailing digital twin applications, reducing uncertainty while scaling SMB DLE systems from bench-to-pilot stages
- Integrating kinetic, hydrodynamic, and mass-transfer modelling, enabling accurate validation using bench-scale data
- Progressing pilot validation and commercial prediction, incorporating sorbent behaviour and process control strategies
- Optimizing commercial system performance, balancing recovery, purity, water loss, and efficiency for cost reduction
14:25 - 14:30
Q&A SESSION ON ENHANCING PERFORMANCE AND REDUCING RISKS IN DLE SYSTEMS
14:30 - 14:55
COLLABORATIVE EFFORTS TO BUILD A SHARED NORTH AMERICAN LITHIUM LOOP
Frederick Steinmann
University of Nevada
- Discussion on Nevada Lithium Batteries and EV Materials Loop Regional Tech Hub and its current collaboration with Canada
- Nevada’s role across the lithium value chain, including extraction, processing, manufacturing, recycling, and energy storage
- Shared national security priorities and the supply-chain resilience benefits of a coordinated North American approach
- Enabling requirements, covering workforce development and engagement with Tribal, Indigenous, and First Nations partners
14:55 - 15:00
Q&A SESSION ON CROSS-BORDER INVESTMENT FOR BATTERY MATERIALS
15:00 - 15:20
AFTERNOON COFFEE BREAK IN THE EXHIBIT AREA
15:20 - 15:50
PANEL DISCUSSION ON DIRECT LITHIUM EXTRACTION
15:50 - 16:15
FROM PILOT TO COMMERCIAL: VALIDATING NEXT-GENERATION LITHIUM EXTRACTION USING NANOTECHNOLOGY
Ghada Nafie
Litus Inc.
- Leveraging pilot results, achieving up to 99% lithium recovery from produced water brines at scale
- Implementing modular scale-up strategies integrating process design with operational and economic viability
- Enhancing commercial deployment by defining cost drivers, revenue potential, and pathways to scale profitability
16:15 - 16:20
Q&A SESSION ON SCALING NANOTECH LITHIUM EXTRACTION SOLUTIONS
16:20 - 16:45
LiEX: A NEW, HIGH-PERFORMANCE DLE PROCESS
Craig Brown
Chemionex Inc.
- Examining the LiEX single-column fixed-bed design as a simplified approach to direct lithium extraction operations
- Achieving over 99% lithium recovery alongside excellent impurity separation for high-purity results
- Analyzing high-flow-rate performance that concentrates low-grade brines into stronger lithium product solutions
16:45 - 16:50
Q&A SESSION ON HIGH-PERFORMANCE DIRECT LITHIUM EXTRACTION
16:50 - 17:15
SOLID-STATE BATTERIES ARE COMING: WHERE WILL THE Li2S SUPPLY COME FROM?
Ryan Jansonius
Telescope Innovations Corp.
- Outlining current Li2S production challenges, including high costs, impurities, and scaling barriers
- Reviewing supply gaps impacting solid-state battery manufacturing and overall market readiness
- Introducing a novel low-temperature synthesis approach leveraging advanced chemistry, robotics, and AI
- Assessing integration opportunities with lithium brine operations, enabling efficient scale-up
17:15 - 17:20
Q&A SESSION ON INDUSTRIALIZING Li2S FOR FUTURE BATTERY DEMAND
17:20 - 18:20
NETWORKING DRINKS RECEPTION
Day 2 :
TUESDAY, JUNE 9, 2026
08:00 - 08:30
MORNING REFRESHMENTS
08:30 - 08:40
OPENING ADDRESS
08:40 - 09:10
PANEL DISCUSSION ON DIRECT LITHIUM EXTRACTION
09:10 - 09:35
ENABLING SUSTAINABLE LITHIUM PRODUCTION THROUGH ELECTROLYSIS INTEGRATION
Kira Wilting
NORAM Electrolysis Systems Inc.
- Proposing electrolysis integration, offering a sustainable alternative to conventional lithium refining
- Reducing reagent use and lowering emissions, improving efficiency through enhanced chemical circularity
- Aligning electrolysis with DLE processes, supporting scalable and more sustainable lithium production
09:35 - 09:40
Q&A SESSION ON ENHANCING LITHIUM SUSTAINABILITY THROUGH PROCESS INNOVATION
09:40 - 10:05
COMMERCIAL LITHIUM EXTRACTION ECONOMICS FOR NORTH AMERICA
Ron Lincz
Avonlea
- Overview of the ACCELi process and its role in recovering lithium and other critical minerals from varied brine sources
- Discussion of the system’s key advantages, including modular scalability, lower capital intensity, and flexible deployment
- Insights from the Pennsylvania pilot program, highlighting performance data, recovery rates, and operational learnings
- Commercial plant configuration and project economics, detailing cost structure and market potential
10:05 - 10:10
Q&A SESSION ON LITHIUM RECOVERY AND COST DRIVERS
10:10 - 10:30
MORNING COFFEE BREAK IN THE EXHIBIT AREA
Sponsored By FERRUM PROCESS SYSTEMS, INC.
10:30 - 10:55
LITHIUM BRINE CONCENTRATION USING OARO AND BRINE CONCENTRATION MEMBRANE
Ryohei Fuse
TOYOBO MC Corporation
- Illustrating membrane-based concentration exceeding 180 g/L LiCl with lower energy than thermal
- Drawing on proven commercial track records in lithium concentration, lithium recycling, and ZLD
- Presenting pilot and simulation results in strong agreement, supporting reliable scale-up for DLE
10:55 - 11:00
Q&A SESSION ON MEMBRANE SOLUTIONS FOR ENERGY-SMART LITHIUM BRINE CONCENTRATION
11:00 - 11:25
BENCH AND PILOT TESTING OF IONIC LIQUID DLE FROM CANADIAN OILFIELD BRINE
Xiaomeng Wang
Natural Resources Canada (CanmetENERGY)
- Harnessing ionic liquid chemistry to selectively extract lithium from complex Canadian oilfield brine streams with high-impurity loads
- Refining critical operating parameters at bench-scale to establish stable, reproducible conditions for ionic liquid DLE performance
- Validating a continuous-flow pilot column design as a pathway toward scalable field deployment of ionic liquid lithium recovery
11:25 - 11:30
Q&A SESSION ON IONIC LIQUID APPROACHES TO LITHIUM BRINE RECOVERY
11:30 - 11:55
DEVELOPMENT OF DLE TECHNOLOGY USING MANGANESE-BASED ADSORBENTS
Takuya Kaseyama
Sumitomo Metal Mining
- Describing lithium manganate adsorbents synthesized through a wet method with high lithium adsorption capacity
- Verifying a pilot-scale process, selectively recovering lithium from high-impurity and sulphuric acid brines
- Showcasing a multi-column approach enabling efficient lithium recovery from brine at above 90 percent
- Improving operational efficiency by producing reagents in-plant and recycling water within the process
11:55 - 12:00
Q&A SESSION ON HIGH-EFFICIENCY LITHIUM RECOVERY METHODS
12:00 - 12:25
VALVE SPECIFICATION FOR DLE PROJECTS IN LIGHT OF DIMINISHING VALVE EXPERTISE
Ross Waters
CGIS (CG Industrial Specialties)
- Addressing the decline in valve expertise and the risks of relying on legacy specifications
- Assessing the wide range of valve performance demands across DLE process streams, from simple to highly demanding applications
- Understanding the importance of collaboration between EPCs, owners, and valve experts to reduce failures
12:25 - 12:30
Q&A SESSION ON PRACTICAL VALVE SELECTION FOR DLE SYSTEMS
12:30 - 13:30
NETWORKING LUNCH AND VISITING THE DIRECT LITHIUM EXTRACTION EXHIBITION
13:30 - 14:00
PANEL DISCUSSION ON DIRECT LITHIUM EXTRACTION
14:00 - 14:25
LNG INDUSTRY LEVERAGING DLE FROM PRODUCED WATER FOR VALUE CREATION AND ESG
Andy Mukherjee
ST Energy Company LLC
- Framing the integration of direct lithium extraction (DLE) within LNG operations to recover lithium from produced water streams
- Highlighting new revenue opportunities by supplying high-purity lithium for battery and electric vehicle markets
- Underlining operational efficiencies through reduced produced water disposal costs and utilization of existing oil and gas infrastructure
- Covering ESG improvements through lower emissions, higher water recycling rates, and policy considerations, including carbon tax impacts
14:25 - 14:30
Q&A SESSION ON ENERGY TRANSITION VALUE FROM LNG AND LITHIUM SYNERGY
14:30 - 15:00
RESERVED PRESENTATION
15:00 - 15:15
FEEDBACK AND RAFFLE DRAW
15:15 - 15:30
CLOSING REMARKS
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