A method is described for the manufacture of hydrotalcites by using at least one compound of a bivalent metal (Component A) and at least one compound of a trivalent metal (Component B), wherein at least one of these components is not used in the form of a solution, characterized in that a) at least one of the Components A and/or B which is not used in the form of a solution, shortly before or during mixing of the components, and/or b) the mixture containing the Components A and B is subjected to intensive grinding until an average particle size (D.sub.50) in the range of approx. 0.1 to 5 .mu.m is obtained, and optionally, after aging treatment or hydrothermal treatment, the resulting hydrotalcite product is separated, dried, and optionally calcinated. The hydrotalcite precursors and/or fine-particle crystalline hydrotalcites which can be obtained by using the method in accordance with this present invention may be used in particular as catalysts or catalyst carriers or as nanocomposite filling agents or co-stabilizers in a polymer matrix.