TUT10: Sodium Sulfate Management: An Emerging Challenge for North American pCAM Producers
Kenji Naoi, Executive Director & Co-Founder, Positive Materials
Tomasz Poznar, PhD, Vice President, Strategy, Ascend Elements
David Rayworth, Vice President, Environment, Positive Materials
Marco Romero, Founder & CEO, Positive Materials
Bruce Thomas-Benke, Strategy & Growth Director, Worley Consulting
Karel Vratny, Thermal Domain and Battery Materials Sales, Veolia Water Technologies & Solutions
INSTRUCTOR BIOGRAPHIES:
Kenji Naoi, Executive Director & Co-Founder, Positive Materials
Tomasz Poznar, PhD, Vice President, Strategy, Ascend Elements
Tomasz Poznar, Ph.D. joined the Ascend Elements in 2021. He has diverse battery industry experience in multiple functional areas, including strategic planning, products and new business development. He came to Ascend Elements from A123 Systems, where he was responsible for corporate strategy and business development. His previous experience includes various executive roles and years of lithium-ion battery and vehicle electrification experience with EnerDel, Delco Remy and Volvo. He holds a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Wroclaw University of Science and Technology in Poland.
David Rayworth, Vice President, Environment, Positive Materials
Environmental planning and management specialist with over 25 years of experience across Canada. Long history as an EIA expert at one of Canada’s leading environmental consulting firms. Recent role as a senior major project reviewer at the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada. Strong understanding of Canadian federal and provincial regulatory process. New Brunswick native with extensive history of working with First Nations.
Marco Romero, Founder & CEO, Positive Materials
Marco Romero is an entrepreneur with over 40 years of experience in the technical services, mining and construction materials industries. He has held leadership roles in exploration, mine planning and operations, permitting and finance, as well as project and corporate development. He co-founded several Canadian companies, including Eldorado Gold, Polaris Materials, Delta Gold and Euro Manganese. He has received several international, national and regional awards for achievements in corporate social responsibility and environmental excellence.
Bruce Thomas-Benke, Strategy & Growth Director, Worley Consulting
Bruce is a Principal Technical Consultant and Worley’s Water, Environment & Sustainability Growth & Strategy Director in the America’s for the Mining and Battery Materials sectors. He has over 30 years of diverse, international industrial water/wastewater consulting, feasibility, design, construction, program management, technology commercialization, business development, and commercial management experience. He connects clients with our experts, technology, and solutions to address their most difficult water, waste, and other environmental challenges. He synthesizes Worley’s cross-industry experience and expertise with our consulting, planning, capital project delivery, and operations capabilities. This produces holistic, integrated technical and commercial solutions, delivered to customers’ unique requirements, that maximize lifetime performance and asset value. He is currently focusing on resource recovery and brine valorization in desalination, battery active materials, mining, and oil and gas produced water applications including process development, proof of concept testing and technology scaling, and business case development.
Karel Vratny, Thermal Domain and Battery Materials Sales, Veolia Water Technologies & Solutions
Karel Vratny is a seasoned professional with over 20 years of experience in the water industry. As a domain expert, he specializes in electrochemistry separation, thermal and integrated flowsheet solutions, with a particular focus on battery material fields (mining, refining, pCAM, battery recycling). Karel's expertise lies in positioning complex projects that address industrial challenges, such as the management of sodium sulfate.
With a deep understanding of the intricacies of industrial processes, Karel has built a reputation for providing innovative solutions that optimize operations and enhance efficiency. His extensive knowledge of thermal technologies, electrochemistry, integrated flowsheets, and battery material applications allows him to offer tailored solutions that meet the unique needs of his clients.