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
Aug 282026
Abstract submission deadlineAbstracts
Submit to the symposium email
Sep 72026
Author registration deadlineRegistration
Oct 232026
Symposium registration deadlineRegistration
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
Official symposium program by day.
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.
Welcome08:00 – 08:50
08:00Registration
08:30Dean of the Faculty
08:35AMTC Director
08:40KIT Representative
Session 1 — Keynote speakers08:50 – 09:40
08:50A broader definition of DLE processes: integrated processes including crystallization of a solid lithium productVictoria Flexer · CONICET (National Scientific and Technical Research Council), Argentina
09:15Lithium – Indispensable element for the global energy transition – A European perspective to 2035Michael Schmidt · German Mineral Resources Agency DERA, Germany
Session 2 — Advances in Industrial DLE Projects and Technologies I09:40 – 10:45
09:40Title to be confirmedTBD · Albemarle, Chile
10:00Selective Lithium Extraction: Evolution of Processes and Technologies for Efficient ProductionHugo Giraldo · Novandino Litio, Chile
10:20Title to be confirmedIgnacio Mehech · CleanTech Lithium, Chile
10:45Refreshment break (30 min)
Session 3 — Advances in Industrial DLE Projects and Technologies II11:15 – 12:15
11:15Optimizing System Performance using Advanced Lithium Extraction Technology for Lithium Recovery from BrinesRodrigo Mery · Summit Lithium Technologies, Chile
11:35Title to be confirmedKatherine Jaramillo Martínez · CNP – Centro Nacional de Pilotaje de Tecnologías para la Minería, Chile
11:55INLISA’s Agenda for a National Lithium and Brine Technology Piloting PlatformHernán Cáceres · Instituto Nacional de Litio y Salares (INLISA), Chile
Session 4 — Salt Flat Geology12:15 – 13:35
12:15Hydroenvironmental Variability and Lickanantay-Led Community Monitoring in the Salar de Atacama Basin: Baseline Considerations for Direct Lithium ExtractionHéctor Orellana · Environmental Unit, Consejo de Pueblos Atacameños, San Pedro de Atacama, Chile
12:35Integrated Reservoir Simulation and Optimization for Sustainable Lithium Production from Subsurface Brine ReservoirsJosé Santos · Computer Modelling Group, Canada
12:55Li-rich clays in Miocene paleosalars of Northern Chile: a non-conventional Li resourceDiego Morata · Department of Geology and Andean Geothermal Center of Excellence (CEGA), Chile
13:15TARDIS - Towards the sustainable implementation of direct lithium extraction processes: Improving brine processing and sustainable energy useCatalina Saldias Innocenti · Geothermal Energy & Reservoir Technology, Institute of Applied Geosciences, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Germany
15:05Sustainable Lithium Recovery in Salar Brines through Flow Pathway Management for Depleted Brine ReinjectionValentin Goldberg · BWG Geochemische Beratung GmbH | Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Germany
15:25Anticipating mineral clogging and aquifer porosity change in lithium brine operations through hydrogeochemical modellingCarla Barbosa · Amphos 21, Chile
15:45Challenges and Priorities for Sustainable Spent Brine Re-injection in Lithium-Bearing SalarsSantiago Monserrat · Advanced Mining Technology Center (AMTC), Universidad de Chile, Chile
16:05Industry talk: Novandino LitioTBD
Session 6 — DLE Processes (Part I)16:25 – 17:05
16:25Closing the gap: selective lithium recovery from solid salt residues using scalable molecular extractantsKajetan Dąbrowa · Institute of Organic Chemistry PAS | Solveli Sp. z o.o., Poland
16:45Anion-Exchange Membrane from End-of-Life Reverse Osmosis Membranes for bipolar electrodialysis LiCl processingCamila Gattabria · Departamento de Materiales, Universidad de Concepción, Chile
17:05Refreshment break (30 min)
Session 7 — DLE Processes (Part II)17:35 – 18:35
17:35Selective Magnesium Removal from Lithium Brines Using Ionic Liquid: From Synthetic Systems to Real BrinesVania Rojas · Advanced Mining Technology Center (AMTC) | Mining Engineering Department, Universidad de Chile, Chile
17:55An electrochemical method for the selective extraction of lithium from salting brines and production of purified eluates with high concentration of lithiumTomás Vargas · Dept. Chemical Engineering, Biotechnology and Materials, University of Chile, Chile
18:15Development of MXene-modified Nanofiltration Membranes for Lithium/Magnesium Separation from BrinesNatalia Martínez · Advanced Mining Technology Center (AMTC), University of Chile, Chile
Cocktail Hour and Poster Session18:35
Integrated membrane processes for direct lithium separationArthur Merkel · Division of Chemical Engineering, Department of Process and Life Science Engineering, Lund University, Sweden
Modeling of Interfacial Transport and Chemo-Mechanical Coupling in Lithium-Ion Batteries as a Basis for Investigating Direct Lithium Extraction MechanismsLukas Köbbing · German Aerospace Center (DLR); Helmholtz Institute Ulm (HIU), Germany
Reassessing the structure of the sorbent with nominal composition Li1.6Mn1.6O4 used for Direct Lithium ExtractionFabian Jeschull · Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Institute for Applied Materials (IAM), Germany
Rediscovering Sodium Ionophores as Novel Agents for Selective, Efficient, and Scalable Solid-Liquid Extraction of Lithium ChlorideJakub Narodowiec · Institute of Organic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, SolveLi Sp. z o. o., Poland
Preliminary insights into regional hydrogeological continuity between the Socaire high-Andean subbasins and the Salar de AtacamaJavier Escudero · Environmental Unit, Consejo de Pueblos Atacameños, San Pedro de Atacama, Chile
Solar thermal energy for brine heating for low cost membrane distillation of native lithium brinesLeonardo D. Belizan · Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Materiales Avanzados y Almacenamiento de Energía de Jujuy-CIDMEJu, CONICET-Universidad Nacional de Jujuy, Argentina
Session 8 — Keynote speakers08:30 – 09:45
08:30Pilot Scaling-up for the Direct Production of Lithium Hydroxide through Integrated Purification and ElectromembranesMario Grageda · Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering and Mineral Processes at the University of Antofagasta | Advanced Research Center for Lithium and Industrial Minerals CELiMIN
08:55Reassessing the structure of the sorbent with nominal composition Li1.6Mn1.6O4 used for Direct Lithium ExtractionFabian Jeschull · Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Institute for Applied Materials (IAM), Germany
09:20Overview of DLE flowsheets in current industrial operations and projectsHumberto Estay · Advanced Mining Technology Center (AMTC), University of Chile, Chile
Session 9 — Advances in Industrial DLE Projects and Technologies III09:45 – 10:45
09:45(BiCHEM) Best-in-Class DLE Practices: Delivering End-to-End Commercial Solutions for Challenging Lithium ResourcesGeorge Gu · BICHEMical Technology Group, China
10:05Automated operation of an electrochemical ion pump for the recovery of lithiumPaul-Louis Wöhrlin · Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (ISE), Germany
10:25Solar-Thermal Intensification of Salar Brine Evaporation: Field Performance of Floating Photothermal Evaporators in Northern ChileAngela Fasnacht · Princeton Critical Minerals (PureLi), USA
11:15Development and Scale-Up of Alternative Synthetic Routes for LiClO₄ and LiPF₆ ProductionIsadora Berlanga · Department of Chemical Engineering, Biotechnology and Materials, Universidad de Chile, Chile
11:35Thermal Behavior and Solid-State Synthesis of Manganese-Based Cathode Materials (NaxMnO2 and LixMnyOz) for Sodium- and Lithium-Ion BatteriesHeidy Huanca R. · Cathode Materials Pilot Plant, Yacimientos de Litio Bolivianos, Bolivia
11:55Direct Regeneration of cathode material from spent LFP batteries via a Hydrothermal routeAngela Chumacero · Chemical Engineering Career, Universidad Mayor de San Andrés, Bolivia
Session 11 — DLE Processes (Part III)12:15 – 13:35
12:15Upcycling End-of-Life Reverse osmosis membranes into cation-exchange membranes for bipolar electrodialysis of LiClLuis Humberto Pino Soto · Departamento de Materiales, Universidad de Concepción, Chile
12:35Thermodynamically consistent continuum modeling of ion-exchange membranes in multi-ionic solutionsBirger Horstmann · German Aerospace Center (DLR), Helmholtz Institute Ulm (HIU), Ulm University, Germany
12:55Combination of membrane technologies for the co-production of a solid lithium product and low salinity water from natural brinesDiego Mirabal Castillo · Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Materiales Avanzados y Almacenamiento de Energía de Jujuy-CIDMEJu, Argentina
13:15Circular Economy and Lithium Extraction: Removal of Calcium and Magnesium through a Combination of Membrane Electrolysis and CO2 Absorption. Application of Experimental Design to Obtain High-Purity Mg(OH)2César H. Díaz Nieto · Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Materiales Avanzados y Almacenamiento de Energía de Jujuy-CIDMEJu, CONICET-Universidad Nacional de Jujuy, Argentina
13:35Lunch (90 min)
Session 12 — DLE Processes (Part IV)15:05 – 16:25
15:05Beyond the Magnesium Problem: Calcium Controls the Operational Window of Native-pH Solvent Extraction Using IL-TOPO Systems in Multicomponent Lithium BrinesMartin Becerra-Ruiz · Facultad de Química y de Farmacia, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Chile
15:25Have we been misreading Li1.6Mn1.6O4? New insights into the structure of a benchmark Lithium-Ion Sieve for Direct Lithium ExtractionMartina Gamba · Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Institute for Applied Materials (IAM), CETMIC, Centro de Tecnología de Recursos Minerales y Cerámica (CONICET La Plata, CIC PBA, UNLP), Argentina
15:45Evaluation of Selective Precipitation of Calcium, Strontium, and Magnesium in Brines using H2C2O4 and Na2C2O4. Circular Recovery of the Precipitating Agent via Acid TreatmentManuel Escobar · Facultad de Ingeniería, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Chile
16:05Nanofiltration Membranes with artificial nanochannels: Mechanistical Insights for Selective Lithium RecoveryRodrigo Quezada · Advanced Mining Technology Center (AMTC), University of Chile, Chile
Poster Session and Refreshments16:25
Integrated membrane processes for direct lithium separationArthur Merkel · Division of Chemical Engineering, Department of Process and Life Science Engineering, Lund University, Sweden
Modeling of Interfacial Transport and Chemo-Mechanical Coupling in Lithium-Ion Batteries as a Basis for Investigating Direct Lithium Extraction MechanismsLukas Köbbing · German Aerospace Center (DLR); Helmholtz Institute Ulm (HIU), Germany
Reassessing the structure of the sorbent with nominal composition Li1.6Mn1.6O4 used for Direct Lithium ExtractionFabian Jeschull · Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Institute for Applied Materials (IAM), Germany
Rediscovering Sodium Ionophores as Novel Agents for Selective, Efficient, and Scalable Solid-Liquid Extraction of Lithium ChlorideJakub Narodowiec · Institute of Organic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, SolveLi Sp. z o. o., Poland
Preliminary insights into regional hydrogeological continuity between the Socaire high-Andean subbasins and the Salar de AtacamaJavier Escudero · Environmental Unit, Consejo de Pueblos Atacameños, San Pedro de Atacama, Chile
Solar thermal energy for brine heating for low cost membrane distillation of native lithium brinesLeonardo D. Belizan · Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Materiales Avanzados y Almacenamiento de Energía de Jujuy-CIDMEJu, CONICET-Universidad Nacional de Jujuy, Argentina
End of the symposium
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
MSc. Michael Schmidt
Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources · 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 7, 2026Author registration 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
Dr. Fabian JeschullKarlsruhe Institute of Technology
MSc. Michelle QuilaqueoUniversidad de Chile
MSc. Lorena BarrosUniversidad de Chile
Dr. Lucy MuruchiPostdoctoral Researcher · Universidad de Chile
Dr. Valentin GoldbergKarlsruhe Institute of Technology
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 applicable registration deadline: authors, September 7, 2026; Symposium, October 23, 2026.
National Participant
Chile · Price in pesos
$650.000CLP / 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
Para participantes con institución o residencia fuera de Chile. Pago en dólares por transferencia internacional. (*) Debe adicionar a este monto los gastos bancarios si su opción es transferencia internacional.
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
Participants national and international can pay by credit or debit card or by bank transfer. Nacionales: en CLP, con boleta o factura a nombre de la institución. Internacionales: en USD, Invoice disponible para instituciones. (*) Se debe adicionar al monto los gastos bancarios si la opción es transferencia internacional. Para factura o invoice, escribir a carolina.soto@untec.cl at least 10 business days before the applicable deadline (authors: Sep 7, 2026; Symposium: Oct 23, 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
