Because of their simplicity, bimetallic nickel catalysts are a rational step to further develop improved CO2-methanation catalysts suitable for specific applications and feed gas situations. In this study, hydrotalcite-based catalysts incorporating a second metal from the 4th period (chromium, manganese, iron, cobalt, copper, zinc and gallium) were synthesized, characterized (ICP-OES, XRD, BET, XPS) and performance tested under comparable conditions. The study aims at the clarification of inconsistencies regarding these additives found in the literature by ensuring comparability as good as possible. To achieve this goal the catalysts were tested using the same reactor, were prepared by the same type of synthesis possessing the same atomic ratio of Ni to the potential promoter element. In catalytic tests, performed at atmospheric pressure and at 20 bar, all catalysts were active in respect to CO2 hydrogenation. While Cu, Zn, and Ga acted as inhibitors, reducing the activity approximately by half, Fe and Mn proved to be very active promotors. The catalyst without promotor shows 80 % yield at 400 °C whereas the iron containing catalyst reaches this value already at 320 °C, but undergoes a irreversible loss at high temperatures (20 % loss after being exposed to 480 °C). In contrast, the manganese containing catalyst possesses a significantly improved activity without showing such a deactivation process, indicating a high level of stability.