Hydrotalcites are inorganic layered materials which have been used in a wide spectrum of applications from catalysis and adsorption to heavy metals immobilization and polymer stabilization. Apart from this, they can act as drug carriers or acid scavengers. More recently, due to the urgent need for developing functional materials required in the production of renewable fuels and chemicals, hydrotalcites have been increasingly noticed as versatile compounds. For instance, they are applicable in biofuel synthesis, biomass upgrading, plastics degradation, hydrogen storage and so forth. In addition, they are cost-efficient materials and thus beneficial for the realization of the above-mentioned applications on the industrial scale. It is noteworthy that for further development of novel hydrotalcites, validation of their performance and their stability are essential. To elucidate these aspects, the major significance of these materials and their capability for application in various catalytic fields are discussed in this survey. Particular focus is given to their most recent utilization in sustainable and green applications.