An alternative heavy metal treatment method using a low cost absorbent for aqueous medium was studied. Calcium alginate was used as the absorbent together with Poly(vinyl)alcohol for manganese, Mn(VII) extraction from industrial wastewater. The prepared Alginate and Alginate/PVA beads were characterized and the performance of Mn(VII) extraction process by the beads was evaluated in terms of the Mn(VII) extraction efficiency. The adsorption experiments indicate that the amount of adsorbed Mn(VII) improved in addition of PVA with percentages removal up to 65 from the industrial wastewater. As a result, the extraction process proposed was suggested to be simple, safe, and environment-friendly for treating an industrial wastewater. However, further study need to be carried out to gain the concrete information and evidence. © Published under licence by IOP Publishing Ltd.