A Composition comprising one or more metal hydroxy salts and a matrix, binder or carrier material, wherein the metal hydroxy salt is a compound comprising (a) as metal either (i) one or more divalent metals, at least one of them being selected from the group consisting of Ni, Co, Ca, Zn, Mg, Fe, and Mn, or (ii) one or more trivalent metal(s), (b) framework hydroxide, and (c) a replaceable anion. This composition has various catalytic applications.