Stardust Power Joins DoD Alliance to Secure America's Lithium Supply

GREENWICH, Conn. – February 24, 2026 – In a move that underscores the growing link between energy independence and national security, American lithium developer Stardust Power Inc. announced today it has joined the Cornerstone Consortium, a collaborative framework aligned with the U.S. Department of Defense. The partnership places the Nasdaq-listed company (NASDAQ: SDST) directly within a strategic initiative aimed at fortifying the nation's fragile industrial base and securing critical supply chains.

Stardust Power, which is advancing plans for a major battery-grade lithium refinery in Muskogee, Oklahoma, now joins a select group of defense contractors, academic institutions, and technology firms working to address systemic vulnerabilities in the American manufacturing ecosystem. This collaboration signals a significant step in the national effort to onshore the production of lithium, a mineral indispensable to modern batteries for everything from electric vehicles to advanced military hardware.

A Strategic Alliance for National Security

The Cornerstone Consortium is not a typical industry trade group. Established in 2018, it is the sole government-run consortium for Other Transaction Agreements (OTAs) under the Department of Defense. Managed by the U.S. Army and operating under the oversight of the Office of the Secretary of Defense, its explicit mission is to accelerate the development and integration of critical manufacturing capabilities to enhance U.S. economic and military readiness.

By joining, Stardust Power gains a seat at a table focused on 18 vital industrial sectors, with critical minerals designated as a top priority. The consortium's OTA framework is designed to bypass bureaucratic red tape, enabling faster, more flexible collaboration between the government and industry partners. This streamlined approach is crucial for addressing urgent supply chain gaps, particularly the United States' heavy reliance on foreign nations for processed lithium.

Currently, the vast majority of the world's battery-grade lithium is refined outside the U.S., creating a significant strategic vulnerability for both the energy and defense sectors. Lithium is essential for the Pentagon's push toward electrifying its vehicle fleet, ensuring grid resilience for military installations, and powering a new generation of portable and directed-energy weapon systems. Stardust Power’s involvement directly supports national efforts to mitigate these risks.

“Joining the Cornerstone Consortium reinforces our commitment to advancing secure, U.S.-based lithium supply chains that are critical to both economic competitiveness and national security,” said Roshan Pujari, Chief Executive Officer of Stardust Power, in a statement. “As we advance our Muskogee refinery toward construction and commissioning, participation in Cornerstone allows us to engage alongside government, industry, and research partners focused on strengthening America’s critical minerals and manufacturing base.”

Fueling the 'Green Gold Rush'

Beyond the clear national security implications, Stardust Power's partnership with Cornerstone positions the company at the epicenter of a domestic economic boom often dubbed the 'Green Gold Rush.' The insatiable demand for lithium-ion batteries, driven by the exponential growth of the electric vehicle market and grid-scale energy storage, has created immense pressure to develop a secure and sustainable North American supply chain.

Federal policy has amplified this pressure, with landmark legislation like the Inflation Reduction Act and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law offering substantial tax credits, grants, and loans to companies that source and process critical minerals domestically. By aligning with a DoD-backed consortium, Stardust Power not only enhances its strategic profile but also potentially improves its access to these federal funding pathways and collaborative research opportunities.

The OTA framework utilized by Cornerstone is specifically designed to attract non-traditional defense contractors and innovative small businesses, providing a platform to rapidly prototype, test, and scale new technologies. For Stardust Power, this means a more direct line of communication and collaboration with key government stakeholders, which could prove invaluable in navigating the complex regulatory and financial landscape of building a first-of-its-kind domestic refining facility.

Muskogee's Moment in the National Spotlight

This national-level strategy has profound local implications. The heart of Stardust Power’s operation is its planned lithium refinery in Muskogee, Oklahoma. The facility is designed with a target production capacity of up to 50,000 metric tons of battery-grade lithium carbonate per year—a figure that would represent a monumental increase in U.S. domestic refining capability.

For the Muskogee community, the project promises a significant economic infusion. The construction and operation of the refinery are expected to create hundreds of high-skilled jobs, stimulate local businesses, and contribute to regional infrastructure development. The project represents a tangible outcome of the 'Made in America' narrative, transforming a community in the nation's heartland into a pivotal hub for 21st-century industrial strategy.

With Stardust Power's inclusion in the Cornerstone Consortium, the Muskogee refinery is no longer just a commercial venture; it is now an asset of national strategic importance. This elevation could bring further federal attention and support to the region, reinforcing the idea that securing America’s future in energy and defense starts with investment in local communities and their workforces.

Navigating the Path to Production

Despite the strategic alignment and market momentum, the path forward is not without significant challenges. Developing and commissioning a large-scale lithium refinery is a capital-intensive and technologically complex undertaking. The company itself acknowledges these hurdles in its public filings, noting that its success is subject to market fluctuations, supply chain disruptions, and the inherent risks of a major industrial development project.

The broader U.S. push for domestic critical minerals faces obstacles including lengthy environmental permitting processes, competition from established international producers with lower costs, and the need to cultivate a specialized workforce. However, this is precisely where the power of a consortium like Cornerstone becomes most apparent.

By fostering collaboration between private industry, government agencies, and research institutions, the consortium aims to de-risk these ambitious projects. It provides a forum for sharing best practices, solving common technical challenges, and aligning private investment with public priorities. For Stardust Power, this partnership offers a critical support system as it works to turn the promise of its Muskogee refinery into a reality, ultimately strengthening America's position in the global race for critical resources.