The invention relates to a process for the manufacture of a porous composite material for use in a gas/solid reaction system. The process includes combining at least one active ingredient, organic binder and an inorganic binder to form a mixture, adding water to form green pellets, partially drying and curing the pellets to form a composite material formed from cured pellets having a crushing strength of 4000 g/pellet-20000 g/pellet, suitable for use in a gas/solid reaction system.