Sorption enhanced steam reforming of ethanol on CuMgAl hybrid materials was studied. A new method of preparation was employed to the ensemble of catalyst and adsorbent for reaction enhancement. These materials were analyzed on their thermal stability and capacity to uptake carbon dioxide for enhanced hydrogen production process. The effects of material nature and operating conditions on the course of reaction were studied. Hydrogen was generated in the temperature range between 473K and 873K. The CuMgAl materials show good stability during the reaction process due to the unique layered double hydroxide structure. The hydrogen production through SRE was enhanced by carbon dioxide sorption in the initial transient period, and high purity hydrogen over 90 mol% was obtained. (C) 2012 The Institution of Chemical Engineers. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.