Symposium

General information

About the symposium

The DLE Symposium 2026 is the leading scientific and technological gathering on direct lithium extraction (DLE) technologies in Latin America, organized within the framework of the BRIDGE project, a binational partnership between Chile and Germany.

It brings together researchers, academic institutions and industry players in the lithium sector to share advances, discuss challenges and foster international cooperation around an industry that is strategic for the global energy transition.

The symposium takes place on November 5 and 6, 2026 at the Enrique d'Etigny Auditorium, FCFM, Universidad de Chile, Beauchef 851, Santiago.

Key dates

Jun 12026

Registration opensRegistration

Aug 282026

Abstract submission deadlineAbstracts

Submit to the symposium email

Sep 62026

Registration deadlineRegistration

Nov 5–62026

DLE Symposium 2026Event

Beauchef 851, Santiago · Chile

6 thematic sessions

Salar geology, DLE processes, advances in DLE projects, brine management and reinjection, recycling and circular economy, and lithium refining and battery-grade materials.

2 full days

November 5 and 6. International plenary speakers, 31+ talks and a poster session.

Binational cooperation

BRIDGE Project: a Chile–Germany partnership between AMTC, KIT, BGR, CEGA, Sernageomin and UNTEC.

Universidad de Chile

Enrique d'Etigny Auditorium, FCFM. Beauchef 851, Santiago. Toesca Metro station 5 minutes away.

Global energy transition

The DLE Symposium brings together the key players in the lithium ecosystem — science, industry and international cooperation — in an event designed to accelerate the development of sustainable extraction technologies.

Symposium scope

Symposium topics

The DLE Symposium 2026 calls for scientific and technical contributions across the lithium value chain, with special emphasis on direct extraction technologies and their impact on the global energy transition.

01

Salt flat geologySalt flat hydrogeology, water balance, environmental impact, monitoring and modeling.

02

DLE processesAdsorption, membranes, solvent extraction (SX), precipitation, electrochemical methods, new materials, and comparison with evaporation processes.

03

Advances in DLE projectsFrom lab to plant, TRL comparison and benchmarking.

04

Brine management and reinjectionWater balance, brine waste management, aquifer pressure and dynamics.

05

Recycling and circular economyBattery recycling, urban mining and integration with primary mining.

06

Lithium refining and battery-grade materialsHigh-purity production of Li₂CO₃, LiOH and cathode materials.

Section 2 · Speakers and program

Symposium program

Session structure by day. Speakers and titles will be confirmed soon.

Summit Lithium Technologies: Visit to Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) Demonstration PlantBefore the dinner

Summit Lithium Technologies is inviting attendees to visit its Santiago facility for a guided tour of its DLE demonstration plant. The system features 20 commercial-height columns and replicates the full flowsheet complexity of a 5,000 t/a commercial denaLi™ plant, operating continuously on real brine to produce lithium chloride. The facility includes two fully equipped analytical laboratories and is designed to provide the parameters needed for a full commercial plant design.

Networking Dinner · German Embassy

Networking Dinner hosted by the German EmbassyOpening welcome activity for symposium participants. For registered attendees only · Attendance confirmation required.

Welcome and institutional opening08:00 – 09:00

08:00Registration

08:30Dean, FCFMWelcome remarks — Universidad de Chile

08:40AMTC DirectorInstitutional presentation

08:50KIT representativeBRIDGE Project · Chile–Germany cooperation

Session 1 — DLE processes (Part I)09:00 – 10:50

09:00Plenary speaker 1To be confirmed

09:25Plenary speaker 2To be confirmed

09:50Talk 1

10:10Talk 2

10:30Talk 3

10:50 Refreshment break (30 min)

Session 2 — Advances in DLE projects11:20 – 13:00

11:20Talk 4

11:40Talk 5

12:00Talk 6

12:20Talk 7

12:40Talk 8

13:00 Lunch (60 min)

Session 3 — Salt flat geology14:00 – 16:00

14:00Talk 9

14:20Talk 10

14:40Talk 11

15:00Talk 12

15:20Talk 13

15:40Talk 14

16:00 Refreshment break (30 min)

Session 4 — Brine management and reinjection16:30 – 17:55

16:30Plenary speaker 3To be confirmed

16:55Talk 15

17:15Talk 16

17:35Talk 17

17:55 Poster Session

Session 5 — DLE processes (Part II)09:00 – 10:50

09:00Plenary speaker 4To be confirmed

09:25Plenary speaker 5To be confirmed

09:50Talk 18

10:10Talk 19

10:30Talk 20

10:50 Refreshment break (30 min)

Session 6 — Recycling and circular economy11:20 – 13:25

11:20Plenary speaker 6To be confirmed

11:45Talk 21

12:05Talk 22

12:25Talk 23

12:45Talk 24

13:05Talk 25

13:25 Lunch (60 min)

Session 7 — Lithium refining and battery-grade materials14:25 – 16:25

14:25Talk 26

14:45Talk 27

15:05Talk 28

15:25Talk 29

15:45Talk 30

16:05Talk 31

16:25 Poster Session · End of the meeting

Plenary speakers

Keynote Speakers

The DLE Symposium 2026 will feature plenary speakers of international standing in lithium, DLE technologies and the energy transition.

Dra. Victoria Flexer

CONICET · Universidad Nacional de Jujuy · Argentina

Dr. Mario Grageda

Universidad de Antofagasta · Chile

Dr. Humberto Estay

AMTC · Universidad de Chile · Chile

Dr. Fabian Jeschull

Karlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT) · Germany

Authors · Abstract submission

Information for authors

The symposium invites researchers, professionals and students to submit work in the thematic areas of the DLE Symposium 2026. Submit abstracts to the symposium email: dle.symposium@amtc.uchile.cl

Important dates

Aug 28, 2026Abstract submission deadline

Sep 6, 2026Registration deadline

Nov 5–6, 2026Presentation at the symposium

Instructions for authors

Abstracts must be written in English
Download the official template and follow the instructions included in it
Presentations may be oral or in poster format
Send the complete abstract to the email dle.symposium@amtc.uchile.cl

Abstract template

DLE 2026 Abstract Template .docx format · Available for download

Download

Organization

Organizing committee

Dr. Humberto EstayUniversidad de Chile

Dr. Diego MorataUniversidad de Chile

Dr. Fabian JeschullKarlsruhe Institute of Technology

MSc. Michelle QuilaqueoUniversidad de Chile

MSc. Lorena BarrosUniversidad de Chile

Dr. Lucy MuruchiPostdoctoral Researcher · Universidad de Chile

Registration and payment

Participant registration

Registration open from June 1, 2026. Select your participation category and complete the process online. Registered participants are invited to the Networking Dinner hosted by the German Embassy (Wednesday, November 4), subject to attendance confirmation.

Do you need an institutional invoice?

Write to carolina.soto@untec.cl at least 10 business days before the registration deadline (September 6, 2026).

National Participant

Chile · Price in pesos

$650.000_{CLP / participant}

For participants with a Chilean RUT or an institution based in Chile. Payment in pesos via bank transfer or boleta.

Full access to all sessions
Digital materials
Brunch
Coffee
Certificate of attendance
Invitation to the Networking Dinner · German Embassy

Payment: Card (credit/debit) or bank transfer in CLP · Boleta or factura available

Pagar con Mercado Pago Pay by bank transfer

International Participant

International · Price in dollars

USD 600_{/ participant}

For participants with an institution or residence outside Chile. Payment in dollars via international bank transfer.

Full access to all sessions
Digital materials
Brunch
Coffee
Certificate of attendance
Invitation to the Networking Dinner · German Embassy

Payment: Card (credit/debit) or bank transfer in USD · Invoice available for institutions

Pagar con PayPal Pay by bank transfer

Accepted payment methods

Credit or debit card

Bank transfer

Institutional invoice / receipt

Participants national and international can pay by credit or debit card or by bank transfer. National: in CLP, with a boleta or factura issued to the institution. International: in USD, with an invoice available for institutions. For an invoice, write to carolina.soto@untec.cl con al menos 10 días hábiles de anticipación al cierre (6 sep. 2026).

Additional information

Venue and how to get there

Enrique d'Etigny Auditorium

Toesca Metro (Line 2)5-minute walk from the station

Arturo Merino Benítez Airport~45 minutes to downtown by taxi or Uber

Recommended hotelsList available upon registration confirmation

Google Maps linkBeauchef 851, Santiago, Chile FCFM, Universidad de Chile

Weather in NovemberSpring, 18–26°C. Long, sunny days in Santiago.

We invite you to explore Santiago

GAM — Gabriela Mistral Cultural Center

Art · Culture · Architecture

An iconic cultural center on the Alameda avenue. Free exhibitions, theater, concerts and a vibrant public space. Internationally awarded steel-and-wood architecture. Steps from the Universidad Católica metro station.

Av. Libertador Bernardo O'Higgins 227, Santiago
Monday to Sunday: 9:00 – 22:00 hrs
Free admission
4.6 / 5

www.gam.cl →

National Museum of Fine Arts

Museum · Heritage · Chilean Art

One of the oldest museums in Latin America. It holds the largest collection of Chilean and international art in a 1910 neoclassical building declared a historic monument. Free admission every day.

José Miguel de la Barra 650, Santiago
Tuesday to Sunday: 10:00 – 18:30 hrs. Closed on Mondays.
Free admission
4.6 / 5

www.mnba.gob.cl →

MIM — Mirador Interactive Museum

Science · Technology · Interactive

The largest science and technology museum in Latin America, with more than 300 interactive exhibits on physics, astronomy, biology and technology. Ideal for researchers and professionals with a scientific calling.

Punta Arenas 6711, La Granja, Santiago
Tuesday to Sunday: 10:00 – 18:00 hrs. Closed on Mondays.
Paid admission (discounts available)
4.5 / 5

mim.cl →

San Cristóbal Hill

Nature · Viewpoint · Metropolitan Park

Santiago's most emblematic lookout. Panoramic 360° views of the city and the Andes mountain range. Reachable by funicular, cable car or on foot. Especially beautiful in November, the height of Santiago's spring.

Pío Nono s/n, Recoleta, Santiago (acceso por Baquedano)
Park open every day. Funicular: Tuesday to Sunday.
Free access to the hill. Funicular and cable car for a fee.
4.7 / 5

parquemet.cl →

Lastarria Neighborhood

Gastronomy · Culture · Bohemian

Santiago's most cultural and bohemian neighborhood. Restaurants, art galleries, bookstores, cafés and bars on cobblestone streets with republican-era architecture. Steps from the Fine Arts Museum and Parque Forestal.

Calle Lastarria, Barrio Lastarria, Santiago
Lively every day, especially busy on weekends.
Free access
Historic neighborhood

View on Google Maps →

DLE Symposium2026