Air permit clears Stardust Power (NASDAQ: SDST) Muskogee lithium refinery

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Stardust Power Inc. reported that it has received an air quality construction permit from the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality for its Muskogee lithium carbonate refinery project. This approval is described as the environmental permit required for construction and commissioning of the facility, meaning the project can move forward under state environmental rules. The company disclosed this news via a press release furnished as an exhibit to this report.

Insights

Equity analyst – clean energy infrastructure

Key environmental permit secured for Muskogee lithium refinery project.

Stardust Power Inc. has obtained an air quality construction permit from the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality for its Muskogee lithium carbonate refinery facility. The company notes that this approval represents the environmental permit required for construction and commissioning, marking a critical regulatory step for the project.

This type of permit typically governs emissions and operating conditions, so receiving it suggests the planned facility met the state regulator’s environmental standards as described. While no capacity or financial metrics are provided, advancing from permitting toward construction is often an important milestone for large industrial and battery-materials projects.

The development was communicated through a press release dated January 20, 2026, furnished as an exhibit. Subsequent disclosures about construction progress, commissioning, and production timing would further clarify how this regulatory milestone translates into future operating performance.

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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

Form 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of The Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) January 20, 2026

STARDUST POWER INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware		001-39875		99-3863616
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)		(Commission File Number)		(IRS Employer Identification No.)

15 E. Putnam Ave, Suite 378, Greenwich, CT 06830

(Address of principal executive offices)

(800) 742-3095

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

N/A

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

☐	Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
☐	Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
☐	Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
☐	Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class		Trading Symbol(s)		Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share		SDST		The Nasdaq Capital Market
Redeemable warrants, with 10 warrants exercisable for one share of Common Stock at an exercise price of $115.00		SDSTW		The Nasdaq Capital Market

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company ☒

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Item 8.01. Other Events

On January 20, 2026, Stardust Power Inc. (“the Company”) issued a press release announcing that it has received the air quality construction permit (“Air Permit”) from the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality for its Muskogee lithium carbonate refinery project (“the Facility”). As described in the press release, this approval represents the environmental permit required for construction and commissioning of the Facility. A copy of the press release is furnished herewith as Exhibit 99.1.

The information in this Item 8.01 and Exhibit 99.1 shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits

Exhibit No.		Description
99.1		Press Release, dated January 20, 2026
104		Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document).

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SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

	STARDUST POWER INC.
Date: January 20, 2026	By:	/s/ Roshan Pujari
	Name:	Roshan Pujari
	Title:	Chief Executive Officer

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FAQ

What did Stardust Power Inc. (SDST) announce in this 8-K?

Stardust Power Inc. announced that it received an air quality construction permit from the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality for its Muskogee lithium carbonate refinery project, described as the environmental permit required for construction and commissioning of the facility.

Which facility is covered by Stardust Powers new air quality construction permit?

The permit covers Stardust Powers Muskogee lithium carbonate refinery project, referred to as the Facility in the disclosure.

Which regulator granted Stardust Power (SDST) the air quality construction permit?

The air quality construction permit was granted by the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality, the state environmental regulator referenced in the report.

Why is the air quality construction permit important for Stardust Powers Muskogee project?

The company states that this approval represents the environmental permit required for construction and commissioning of the Muskogee facility, indicating it is a key regulatory step before the project can proceed.

How did Stardust Power Inc. communicate the permit approval to investors?

Stardust Power Inc. issued a press release dated January 20, 2026, and furnished it as Exhibit 99.1 to this report under Item 8.01 (Other Events).

Does the 8-K state that the information is incorporated into other SEC filings?

The company states that the information in Item 8.01 and Exhibit 99.1 is furnished, not filed, for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act and will only be incorporated by reference into other filings if specifically referenced.