Abstract: The present invention is directed to a chemical composition for treating contaminated waste waters, particularly waste waters in the form of oily emulsions, to adsorb the contaminants between platelets of activated bentonite and encapsulate or trap the contaminants between the platelets so that the contaminants cannot be leached out into the waste water. The composition includes an acid, such as adipic acid; a coagulant such as aluminum sulfate or ferric sulfate; an activated betonite; lime CaO or Ca(OH).sub.2 ; and bentonite containing at least about 5% by weight calcium aluminum silicate. The invention also is directed to a process for producing the chemical composition, and a method of treating contaminated waste waters with the chemical composition.