Botswana Ash (Pty) Ltd (Botash) is owned, at 50% shareholding each, by the Government of the Republic of Botswana and Chlor Alkali Holdings (Pty) Ltd, a South African owned company and a member of the Bud Chemicals and Minerals group of companies. Botash is located on the Sua Pan in North-Eastern Botswana and began operating in April 1991. It is the largest producer of natural sodium and related products in the region, currently producing several variants of sodium carbonate and sodium chloride. In the past, all activities of the company were undertaken on the Sua Pan ? from production through to marketing, sales and administration. Today Botash has increased its footprint with fully operating offices in South Africa, dealing primarily with sales and marketing of Botash products mainly soda ash. The South African office and depot, situated in Alrode Alberton, is operated by Botash's sister company being the Botswana Ash South Africa (Pty) Ltd.