Hydrotalcite is a natural mineral with a white color and pearl like luster. It is mined in small quantities in the Snarum area of Norway and the Ural area of Russia. Hochstetter (1842) was the first person to report on hydrotalcite. He wrote on the hydrotalcite mineral that was attached firmly to a schist.

Hydrotalcite is a compound of magnesium and aluminum with a layer structure. Its composition formula is as follows:

                                 Mg₆Al₂(OH)₁₆CO₃-4H2O

Kyowa Chemical Industry of Japan has noted this unique structure of hydrotalcite and has become the first in the world to succeed in the industrial synthesis of hydrotalcite in 1966. Kyowa's synthetic hydrotalcite was developed first as a medical antacid agent. It has been sold by globally known pharmaceutical firms and continues to be widely supplied to various nations all over the world.

Ever since Kyowa Chemical was founded, it has been engaged in product development in the field of fine inorganic chemicals under the motto of “Unique Products through Unique Technologies”. While striving to meet our customer requirements, we place special focus on the harmonization of our products with people and the environment.

Following the development of medical products, we have succeeded in the product development of industrial plastic additives. Compounds based on heavy metals are quite regularly used as plastic additives. However adverse effects on the human body, environmental destruction, etc. of such heavy metals are becoming a problem. For example, lead, cadmium, barium, etc. are being used as PVC (polyvinyl chloride) additives. Although the consumption of cadmium has lessened due to restrictions against its use in various nations around the world, lead and barium continue to be used. Our synthetic hydrotalcite products (grade name: ALCAMIZER,) are used as substitutes for these hazardous toxic chemicals.