The uptake of benzoate anions from aqueous solutions by calcined and uncalcined layered double hydroxides (LDHs) is reported. Adsorption (or sorption) isotherms have been determined at 25degreesC in the 0 to 100 mmol dm(-3) concentration range. The results showed that the calcined LDH sorbs 40 to 85% of the benzoate in solution in the concentration range usually found in industrial wastewater, and that the sorption capacity of this material is about 4 times greater than that observed for the parent LDH. The study of the sorption kinetics for the calcined material showed that it is a relatively slow process, which can be attributed to the fast regeneration of the calcined LDH with intercalated hydroxyl anions, followed by a slow process of anion exchange by benzoate. Collected solids after sorption present basal spacing close to 7.6 Angstrom, characteristic of intercalated hydroxyl anions or carbonate, suggesting a horizontal arrangement of benzoate in the interlayer.