The present invention is directed to a process for the preparation of crystalline anionic clay-containing bodies from sources comprising an aluminium source and a magnesium source comprising the steps of: a) preparing a precursor mixture, b) shaping the precursor mixture to obtain shaped bodies, c) optionally thermally treating the shaped bodies, and d) ageing to obtain crystalline anionic clay-containing bodies. The quintessence of the present invention is that the bodies are shaped prior to the forming of the crystalline anionic clay in said bodies. This results in very attrition resistant bodies, without the need to add a binder material.