Reaction under alkaline conditions of N,N-bis(phosphonomethyl)glycine (glyphosine, GLYP) with an MgAl-NO3-layered double hydroxide (LDH) precursor, prepared by a method involving separate nucleation and aging steps (SNAS) led to the replacement of the interlayer nitrate anions by GLYP(3-) anions. The resulting MgAl-GLYP-LDH was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transfrom infrared (FT-IR), thermogravimetry and differential therm analysis (TG-DTA). elemental analysis. and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) MgAl-GLYP-LDH was mixed with low density polyethylene (LDPE) using a masterbatch method. LDPE films filled with MgAl-GLYP-LDH showed a higher mid- to far-infrared absorption than films filled with MgAl-CO3-LDH in the 7-25 mu m range, particularly in the key 9-11 mu m range required for application in agricultural plastic films