China’s Sichuan Jiuda Group has acquired an 80% stake in Xiangtan Soda Ash Industrial Co Ltd, a subsidiary of Sichuan Kaiyuan Group, for an undisclosed amount. The two groups signed an acquisition agreement in mid December. Xiangtan Soda Ash Industrial Co Ltd - the second largest soda ash producer in Hunan province - runs a 300,000 tonne/year soda ash unit and a 340,000 tonne/year ammonium chloride plant at Xiangtan city in central China.(ICIS)