La-promoted Ni-containing hydrotalcite-derived catalysts were prepared and tested in dry methane reforming at low-moderate temperatures. The prepared materials were characterized by means of Xray diffraction (XRD), temperature programmed reduction (H-2-TPR) and CO2-temperature programmed desorption (TPD). The presence of lanthanum was found to enhance the reforming reaction, but also direct methane decomposition at low reaction temperatures. This fact was assigned to an increased presence of Ni-0 sites as a consequence of improved reducibility of Ni-species in the La-promoted catalysts. Lanthanum can well contribute to the gasification of amorphous carbon deposits, resulting in lower overall carbon deposition at 550 degrees C. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.