Stardust Power Expands US Lithium Supply Pipeline for Oklahoma Refinery

Why It Matters

Domestic lithium feedstock reduces reliance on imports and accelerates U.S. battery production, a key driver for the growing EV and energy‑storage markets.

Key Takeaways

• LOI covers up to 15,000 t/yr lithium chloride supply.
• Deliveries start Q1 2028 to Oklahoma refinery.
• Agreement adds California brine source to Stardust’s feedstock pipeline.
• Refinery construction moves forward after FE‑Loading 3 study and permit.
• Domestic supply chain supports US energy‑storage and EV market.

Pulse Analysis

The United States is racing to close a critical gap in its battery‑grade lithium supply chain, a bottleneck that has forced automakers and grid‑scale storage developers to rely heavily on imports from South America and Australia. Stardust Power’s recent Letter of Intent to purchase up to 15,000 metric tons per year of lithium chloride from a California brine project marks a decisive step toward a fully domestic feedstock loop. By locking in a sizable, low‑cost source of lithium‑chloride, the company not only de‑ridges its upcoming Muskogee refinery but also signals confidence that U.S. mining projects can meet the projected 300‑plus GWh annual battery demand through 2035.

The Muskogee, Oklahoma facility is strategically positioned near the Port of Muskogee’s Free Trade Zone and benefits from rail, road, and water connections that streamline bulk material handling. Completion of the Front‑End Loading 3 engineering study and receipt of an air‑quality construction permit have cleared the regulatory hurdle, allowing the project to transition from design to ground‑breaking. With a scalable refining capacity tailored to lithium‑chloride conversion, the plant is poised to produce battery‑grade lithium carbonate at a time when U.S. manufacturers are scrambling for reliable, low‑carbon inputs.

Stardust’s supply‑chain expansion dovetails with federal initiatives such as the Inflation Reduction Act and the Department of Energy’s Critical Minerals Strategy, both of which incentivize domestic production and processing. A robust, U.S.-based lithium ecosystem could lower battery costs, accelerate electric‑vehicle adoption, and enhance energy‑security by reducing exposure to geopolitical disruptions. As more refiners follow Stardust’s model of pairing local mining assets with near‑shore processing, the United States moves closer to a self‑sufficient battery supply chain capable of supporting the next wave of clean‑energy investments.