Metal Tech Talk

DLE Scaling Summit: Making pilots work in the field

February 18–19, 2026 | Salt Lake City, Utah

Salt Lake City Marriott City Center

UNLOCKING DOMESTIC LITHIUM SUPPLY: EXTRACTION, COMMERCIALIZATION & STRATEGIC READINESS IN THE U.S. MARKET

Join us in Salt Lake City -Utah, on February 18th for the premier summit dedicated to solving America’s lithium bottleneck. As federal incentives accelerate domestic production, OEMs scramble for secure supply chains, and new extraction technologies race toward scale, the U.S. lithium sector stands at a critical inflection point.

Key Topics Include:

(Key topics will be available soon after extensive discussions with solution providers)

This Summit brings together the entire lithium value chain—from brine owners and EPC contractors to DLE technology developers, OEMs, regulators, researchers, and equipment suppliers—to explore technical breakthroughs, business model innovation, and regulatory alignment driving the next phase of domestic lithium supply.

This high-impact, solutions-driven event will feature:

40+ expert-led sessions covering direct lithium extraction, sorption, ion-exchange, membrane, solvent extraction, geothermal integration, AI process control, brine chemistry, permitting, and more…
First-hand case studies from the USA’s most advanced DLE pilot and commercial plants
Panels on policy, regulation, cost competitiveness, and industrial scaling
Unmissable networking with senior decision-makers, innovators, and investors across the lithium ecosystem

Technilcal Conference Agenda

40+ speaekrs

30+ exhibition

300+ Global Attendees

THE PREMIER TECHNICAL GATHERING FOR LITHIUM SUPPLY CHAIN INNOVATORS, OPERATORS, AND STRATEGIC INVESTORS

The Lithium Extraction Summit 2026 is where real-world bottlenecks meet engineered solutions. This is not another trend-chasing conference—it’s a tactical forum built for those driving the future of lithium production, processing, and commercialization.

Explore breakthrough technologies, operational case studies, and strategic frameworks that optimize extraction, reduce cost-per-ton, and accelerate project viability. Whether you’re scaling direct lithium extraction (DLE), navigating permitting hurdles, or rethinking brine-to-battery workflows—this summit delivers the insights and partnerships that matter.

CONFERENCE PROGRAM

Unlock Operational Advantage in Lithium Extraction

Lithium demand is surging—but scalable, cost-effective extraction remains elusive. This summit is engineered to confront that gap head-on. Through technical showcases, peer-led panels, and curated networking, attendees gain actionable intelligence to de-risk projects and sharpen their competitive edge.

Expect deep dives into:

DLE performance metrics and pilot learnings
Brine economics
ESG compliance without greenwashing
Infrastructure, water usage, and community impact

THOUGHT LEADERSHIP

No Fluff. Just Experts Solving Real Problems.

Hear from the operators, engineers, and investors who are actually building lithium supply chains—not just talking about them. Our speaker lineup features those with skin in the game: from field-tested innovators to regulatory insiders and capital allocators.

Sessions will unpack:

What’s working (and failing) in DLE deployments
How permitting timelines are being compressed
Where capital is flowing—and why
The hidden technical constraints shaping project economics

SPONSOR & EXHIBIT

The Lithium Innovation Showcase

Meet the companies solving extraction, processing, and commercialization pain points. From membrane tech to modular plant design, this is where solution providers connect directly with operators and investors seeking execution-ready tools.

Exhibitor categories include:

DLE systems and pilot integrators
Water treatment and brine management
ESG and traceability platforms
Geological modeling and resource estimation
Lithium refining and conversion technologies
Infrastructure and logistics partners

CONFERENCE TOPICS

Breaking Point Chemistry: Feedstock Limits That Kill DLE Performance

What impurity ratios (Mg/Li, Ca/Li) trigger adsorbent/membrane failure or force regeneration?
When does brine chemistry push operators back to evaporation?

Funding-Blocking Metrics: The Numbers That Stall Investment

Which single KPI—Li recovery %, eluate concentration, water intensity—halts funding rounds or loan guarantees?
What pilot data must be shown to unlock capital?

Pilot-to-Commercial Scale-Up: Engineering Risks That Scare Financiers

What flow rate, module count, or CAPEX per tonne of brine creates investor hesitation?
How are EPCs de-risking scale-up transitions?

Materials of Construction: Hidden Cost Drivers in DLE Infrastructure

Membrane fouling, resin attrition, pump corrosion—what’s causing overruns?
What engineering fixes are proving bankable?

Regulatory Gatekeeping: ESG, Water Use & Permitting Thresholds

What ESG or water-intensity metrics block permits or loan guarantees?
Which third-party verification is now mandatory for project approval?

Offtake Qualification: Purity Specs That Make or Break Cathode Supply

What impurity thresholds (B, Mg, Ca, SO₄) must be met for 2025 cathode qualification?
What pilot-cell data or certificates trigger LOIs?

Volatility vs. Viability: Pricing & Delivery Risks in DLE Contracts

What delivery or pricing volatility would push buyers back to evaporated carbonate?
How are suppliers proving reliability?

Investor-Grade Field Data: What Must Be Shown to Sanction Construction

Which in-field metrics—flow rate, Li loss, water recycle %—are non-negotiable for investment?
What data wins boardroom confidence?

Bankability Dashboards: Certifying Risk, Recovery & CO₂ Footprint

What dashboard or certificate convinces stakeholders the project is viable?
How are operators proving lifecycle sustainability?

Thought Leadership

Operators, engineers, and investors share hard-won insights on DLE, permitting, and project economics. No fluff—just tactical intelligence from those building lithium supply chains under real-world constraints.

Maximum Visibility

Position your brand as a solution to extraction bottlenecks. Showcase tech, tools, and expertise to a curated audience of decision-makers actively seeking execution-ready innovations across the lithium value chain.

Networking Opportunities

Meet operators, investors, and regulators shaping lithium’s future. Curated matchmaking, private roundtables, and sector-specific meetups ensure high-value connections that drive partnerships, pilots, and strategic growth.

EXHIBITOR CATEGORIES

DLE Systems & Pilot Integrators

Deployers of direct lithium extraction technologies with proven pilot data. Offer modular systems, sorbents, and membranes optimized for brine chemistries and recovery efficiency.

Water Treatment & Brine Management

Specialists in water reuse, brine concentration, and discharge compliance. Help operators reduce freshwater dependency and meet environmental benchmarks.

ESG & Traceability Platforms

Digital tools for lifecycle analysis, emissions tracking, and ethical sourcing. Enable transparent reporting and investor-grade ESG compliance.

Geological Modeling & Resource Estimation

Geoscience firms offering 3D subsurface modeling, resource classification, and predictive analytics. Critical for feasibility studies and reserve validation.

Lithium Refining & Conversion Technologies

Providers of carbonate-to-hydroxide conversion systems. Focus on impurity control, energy efficiency, and downstream integration for battery-grade output.

Infrastructure & Logistics Partners

Experts in haulage, port access, and remote site infrastructure. Support lithium projects with tailored transport and export readiness solutions.

Process Engineering & Plant Design

Engineering firms specializing in scalable plant layouts, flow optimization, and modular construction. Reduce CAPEX and accelerate time-to-production.

Analytical & Assay Laboratories

Certified labs offering lithium concentration testing, impurity profiling, and QA/QC services. Support pilot validation and commercial-grade certification.

AI & Automation Providers

Tech firms applying machine learning to geological modeling, process control, and predictive maintenance. Enhance operational efficiency and reduce downtime.

Permitting & Regulatory Advisory

Consultants navigating environmental approvals, land access, and stakeholder engagement. Help compress permitting timelines and mitigate project risk.

Capital & Investment Platforms

Private equity, venture capital, and strategic investors focused on lithium assets. Offer funding, due diligence, and commercialization support.

Thermal & Energy Optimization Solutions

Providers of heat recovery, energy storage, and process electrification technologies. Reduce operational costs and improve sustainability metrics.

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