There is a pretty good lithium supply conference coming up 26 June in Las Vegas.
Ken Brinsden will be there, some pretty decent heavy hitters there, no doubt by that time PLS will be right up in the conversation:
10th Lithium Supply & Markets Conference
The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas
Las Vegas, United States
26 - 28 June 2018
Event Overview Celebrating 10 years of bringing the global lithium supply chain together
We’re returning to Las Vegas for the 10th Anniversary of this essential industry event, where more than 350 members of the global lithium markets will connect and learn about future supply and how producers are expanding to meet the boom in demand.
In 2018, global car manufactures are ramping up their EV production and there’s speculation that lithium demand could double in the next 5 years.
Also, recent trends in EV battery production show lithium hydroxide as the favourite compound for lithium-ion batteries.
Hear from industry experts who will share knowledge, forecasts and insight into key industry developments, research and innovative technologies.
Key themes:
Supply leaders (FMC, SQM, Tianqi) in the industry discussing lithium capacity growth
China, North America, Argentina and Chile: New regulations and their impact on the lithium industry
Latest technology for processing lithium
Risks and concerns of investors when considering investing into potential lithium projects
EV’s and lithium’s future role
Field Trips:
Tesla Gigafactory tour**
Lithium Americas site visit
Agenda Overview The Battery and EV Briefing Day: Tuesday, June 26, 2018
10:30am Masterclass: Advanced lithium-ion battery chemistries today and for the next generation
Today’s lithium-ion batteries.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of today’s batteries?
Thinking about next generation lithium-ion batteries and their advantages, such as solid state batteries.
Chloe Holzinger, Research Associate, Lux Research
11:00am The path forward for lithium carbonate processing Chris Meadows, Vice President, Sales & Marketing, Sturtevart, Inc. John Bygrave, Director of Sales and Marketing, K.R.Komarek, Inc. 11:30am How to stay ahead of the game? The future of Li-ion battery technologies
Why are we where we are with EV’s?
What are the challenges going ahead?
What’s next after Li-ion technology?
Emilio Bunel, Vice President Innovation, SQM
12:00pm Outlook for EV adoption
Update on the current situation by region and by technology type
Key drivers for major markets, plus what is holding sales back
Expected macro-developments in battery cost, performance and charging infrastructure
Forecast of EV sales by region
Al Bedwell, Director, Global Powertrain, LMC Automotive
12:30pm Networking lunch break
1:45pm How bright is the future really for electric vehicles and batteries?
The economics of electric vehicles
Scale issues and costs concerns
Range extended electric vehicles and their advantages
Jon Hykawy, President, Stormcrow Capital
2:15pm Panel: Cobalt, nickel and graphite supply chain assessment for EV batteries
How can the supply side keep up with demand?
Cobalt – the DRC in the spotlight: Key problems and their influence on meeting future demand for cobalt.
Cobalt: What are major concerns to cobalt’s use in EV technologies?
Nickel: What does the future of nickel grade battery look like in terms of price benchmarks?
Nickel: How will miners adapt to increased nickel sulphate demand?
Graphite for lithium ion batteries: What are the latest developments?
Graphite: Can global production meet future supply demands for battery applications?
Anthony Milewski, Chairman, Cobalt27 Gerry Hand, VP Marketing, Superior Graphite Tom Jennemann, Non-Ferrous Reporter, American Metal Market
3:00pm Networking break
3:30pm Valuable method for producing cathode materials
Introduction into new cathode producing technology
How will this new technology add value to the lithium supply chain and battery market?
What are the key advantages of this technology?
Dan Blondal, CEO, Nano One Materials Corp
4:00pm Industrial Minerals: Battery Pricing Workshop
Speaker to be confirmed
4:35pm End of pre-conference day and welcome party
Day 1: Wednesday, June 27, 2018
7:15am Registration opens
8:45am Opening remarks
Session I: Lithium fundamentals from the world leaders’ perspective
9:00am Keynote session: Looking at a bright future?
Senior executives examine and discuss global industry challenges and strategy
How do world leading suppliers of lithium expect the lithium market to mature over the next 5 years? What is their role in this?
Analysing how the supply side can keep up with demand.
Examining how key environmental regulations are impacting the future development of the lithium industry.
Battery market: What are the key opportunities and challenges for lithium?
Moderator: Barbara O'Donovan, Managing Editor, Industrial Minerals Michael Beck, President, Regent Advisors LLC Daniel Jimenez, Senior Commercial Vice President, SQM Tom Schneberger, Vice President & Global Business Director, FMC Corporation Anthony Tse, Managing Director, Galaxy Resources Limited
10:00am Networking coffee break
Session II: Key trends in the lithium industry
10:45am Industrial Minerals insights: Market outlook
Contract vs spot market and price forecasts.
Industrial Minerals role in price discovery and reporting.
What were the most important takeaways from the Battery Materials Conference?
Martim Facada, Market Reporter, Industrial Minerals
11:00am Battery Research Team Insights William Adams, Head of Research, Metal Bulletin Ltd
11:15am Panel: Market insights, future pricing and key trends
Recap of 2017: Highlighting changes since last year and new concerns for the lithium market.
Optimizing the value chain: How can the whole industry work together to ensure value and maximized profits?
What are the driving forces behind the price development for the upcoming two years? When will a supply and demand balance be found?
If the price rise stops, what will the impact be for supply/demand dynamics?
How strong are lithium’s fundamentals compared to nickel, cobalt, copper and graphite?
Moderator: Chris Berry, Founder, House Mountain Partners Jon Hykawy, President, Stormcrow Capital Daniela Desormeaux, General Manager, SignumBox Martim Facada, Market Reporter, Industrial Minerals Session III: The investor insights
12:15pm Battery metals fund and funding lithium projects
2016: The year of opportunities in battery materials and the rise of an award winning battery metals fund.
What are the ideal parameters for investors when considering funding lithium projects?
Strategic approach for lithium projects: What makes good partnerships and why are they a vital component for investors?
Tobias Tretter, Managing Director, Commodity Capital AG
12:45pm Networking lunch break
Session IV: Highlighting the Chinese lithium market
2:15pm China and its lithium supply and demand dynamics
Understanding the supply/ demand balance of a continuously expanding lithium industry in China.
What is in the pipeline for Chinese lithium supply for the next five years?
Assessing the consequences for increased environmental regulations for the Chinese lithium mining sector.
What are the new economic incentives and technology thresholds introduced in 2017-2018 to incentive electric vehicle purchases? Did they affect the projected growth figures?
Jingwen Sun, Analyst - Lithium & Cobalt, Changjiang Securities
2:45pm Electric vehicles: Leading countries, growth rate and challenges
Which countries are leading the way in EV market share?
The status and trends of electrification in China.
The major Lithium chemistries for rechargeable battery used in electric transportation.
What are the major challenges for substantial EV growth to take root? How are they being addressed?
Fred Ni, President, Hexagon Sales (Former Vice President, BYD Americas) Main stage
3:15pm Lithium Projects Showcase
Opportunities for new and more established lithium projects to exhibit and showcase their project developments.
Includes: 15:15 Pilbara Minerals
15:30 Neo Metals
15:45 LMC Lithium
16:00 Neo Lithium
Ken Brinsden, Managing Director,Pilbara Minerals Limited Roundtable 1
3:30pm All you need to know about current battery chemistries and in near future
Introduction to electrodes, electrolyte, semiconductors and other key components which determine battery performance.
Which materials are considered to be game changers for the cathode industry and how are they mixed for optimal cell performance?
How much lithium, nickel, cobalt and other materials go into a battery?
Emilio Bunel, Vice President Innovation, SQM Roundtable 2
3:30pm Advanced lithium-ion battery chemistries today and for the next generation
Introducting roundtables sessions to the Lithium Conference! Gain invaluable insight from industry leaders who will guide the discussion and tackle the key industry issues. Take away practical, tangible ideas for your business.
Today’s lithium-ion batteries.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of today’s batteries?
Thinking about next generation lithium-ion batteries and their advantages, such as solid state batteries.
Chloe Holzinger, Research Associate, Lux Research David Deak, CTO; Senior Vice President,Lithium Americas Corp
4:15pm Networking break
Main stage
4:45pm Lithium Project Showcase
16:45 Keliber Oy
17:00 Global Geoscience
17:15 Altura Mining
Roundtable 3
4:45pm Critical assessment of electric vehicle(EV) push and lithium
Addressing concerns: How to maintain the same flexibility of driving diverse distances, use of the right sustainable materials, and ensure lower costs for the electric vehicle.
What is the average life cycle of lithium-ion batteries in EVs?
Which promising other battery chemistries can take over from the lithium-ion battery for the EV market?
Jon Hykawy, President, Stormcrow Capital Martim Facada, Market Reporter, Industrial Minerals Roundtable 4
4:45pm Energy storage and mobile lithium-ion batteries chemistry
How do EV lithium-ion batteries differ to that of energy storage and mobile lithium-ion batteries?
Since 2016, how have predictions for the growth capacity of the energy storage sector changed?
What are the latest developments for energy storage batteries for the residential, community and commercial sector?
Chloe Holzinger, Research Associate, Lux Research
5:30pm Close day 1 & Diamond Party
In addition to networking and getting the deal talks started, one lucky delegate will be walking away with a diamond.
Each delegate will receive a jewel, and one will be significantly more precious than the rest. Could you be the lucky one?
Join us on Wednesday evening for drinks, deals and diamonds.
Day 2: Thursday, June 28, 2018
7:30am Registration opens
8:35am Opening remarks
Session VI: Lithium applications in the spotlight
8:45am Panasonic to present Masaharu Nagata, Executive Vice President, Panasonic Corporation - Global Procurement Company
9:15am Northvolt to present
9:45am Panel: Global Battery Market and its current opportunities and challenges
How can the EV sector stay ahead of regulatory changes in Europe, China and from the current US administration?
What are the potential external risks and industry pitfalls which could influence the battery sector’s growth rate?
Where are the emerging yet untapped markets with major potential growth, think of India and Africa?
Can future battery recipes, such as solid state batteries disrupt the current NCA/ NMC based Li-ion recipes?
Vertical integration: Should cathode manufacturers consider building at lithium mine sites?
Giga & mega factories: What is their impact on the global battery and EV market?
Session VII: Opportunities within the lithium-ion recycling arena
11:15am Q&A: Secondary lithium via lithium-ion battery recycling
In the long-term: Will secondary supply be the solution to the shortages in the value chain?
How will secondary lithium supply impact the whole supply chain?
What are the most prominent opportunities and challenges for the lithium-ion battery recyclers?
Shailesh Upreti, President, Charge CCCV (C4V) Michael Tamlin, Chief Operating Officer, Neometals Todd Coy, Executive Vice President, Retriev Technology Session VIII: Innovation in extracting and processing lithium
12:00pm The Tenova Lithium Recovery Process Jonathan Lipp, CTO - Lithium, Tenova Advanced Technologies
12:25pm Sedimentary lithium deposits: Advances in extraction technology
Understanding the lithium extraction process from sedimentary deposits.
What are the obstacles and challenges?
How will this new technology disrupt the supply chain?
Rene Leblanc, Senior Process Development Manager, Lithium Americas Corp Tom Benson, Lead Global Geologist, Lithium Americas Corp.
1:00pm Networking lunch break
2:15pm Li Project Economics: The Highway to Success
Understand the most significant challenges for lithium projects in today’s modern world.
How do you establish a credible baseline for both technical scrutiny and providing a robust business case?
What are the key drivers that need to be considered to pave the way to a successful lithium project?
What capital and operating cost benchmark data should be used to calibrate emerging lithium projects?
Chris Panaou, Process Consultant, Hatch
2:40pm Lithium extraction from brine: Its history and today’s technology
Brief history of the evolution of lithium brine productions.
What are current challenges in extracting lithium from brines?
Processing insights: Lithium hydroxide versus lithium carbonate.
(20min delay)
