LRIC brings together industry participants, technology providers, academic institutions, and public-sector stakeholders to accelerate the development of a scalable and sustainable U.S. lithium ecosystem. Through this collaboration, Stardust Power will contribute its midstream refining expertise while engaging with peers across the value chain to support innovation and industry best practices.

Participation in LRIC supports Stardust Power's strategy to advance domestic lithium refining capacity and reduce reliance on foreign supply chains. The collaboration is formalized through a memorandum of understanding.

"Joining LRIC connects Stardust Power to a broader network of industry leaders working to build a resilient U.S. lithium supply chain," said Roshan Pujari, Founder and CEO of Stardust Power. "As we prepare our Muskogee, Oklahoma refinery toward construction, this collaboration allows us to both contribute our operational perspective and learn from others across the ecosystem. It's about raising the bar for domestic lithium development and execution."

"The Lithium Regional Innovation Cluster is proud to welcome Stardust Power as we continue building a more secure and scalable domestic lithium supply chain," said Florence Meadors, Program Manager of the Lithium Regional Innovation Cluster. "Their focus on midstream refining is a critical component of the U.S. lithium ecosystem, and we look forward to supporting their continued growth."

Through LRIC, the Company will participate in initiatives focused on advancing lithium processing technologies and strengthening U.S. supply chain coordination.***