Zr and Ce promoted hydrotalcite-derived materials were tested as a catalysts for dry reforming of methane. Zirconium species were introduced into hydrotalcite brucite-like layers, while cerium species were deposited on the external surfaces of crystallites. Three catalysts with Ce/Zr molar ratio of 1.2, 0.6 and 0.3 were synthesized, tested in dry reforming at 550 degrees C and subsequently characterized with the aid of XRD, XRF, FTIR, H-2-TPR, CO2-TPD and TG techniques. Promotion with both Ce, Zr resulted in decrease catalytic activity, however, stability of materials was significantly increased, which could be attributed to increased concentration of strong basic sites. The effect of Ce/Zr molar ratio was mainly dependent on the position of Zr species in brucite-like layers or in mixed ceria zirconia on catalyst surface and influenced materials basicity, reducibility and stability in DRM. (C) 2017 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.