In order to form a layered hydroxyapatite/zirconia ceramic, the solid state reaction and sintering were examined by the three processes of powder mixture, dry-pressing compaction and tape cast. The solid state reaction between hydroxyapatite and zirconia occurred in the thin width of 10-50 mum at interface in a layered composite body. In both sintered layer composites from dry compaction and tape cast, the significant deformation of composite bodies was observed, depending on sintering temperatures. By selecting a sintering temperature of 1200degreesC, we fabricated a layer ceramic composite of hydroxyapatite/zirconia exhibiting the flat film shape. The tape cast process was useful to form a porous sintered composite of hydroxyapatite and zirconia. The porous composite showed the removal performance of aqueous lead from wastewater. (C) 2004 Kluwer Academic Publishers.