The present invention relates to carriers for the controlled release of active agents, comprising surface reacted natural or synthetic calcium carbonate, one or more active agents, wherein said one or more active agent is associated with said surface-reacted calcium carbonate, and wherein said surface-reacted natural or synthetic calcium carbonate is a reaction product of natural or synthetic calcium carbonate with carbon dioxide and one or more acids, wherein the carbon dioxide is formed in situ by the acid treatment and/or is supplied from an external source. It further relates to the preparation of loaded carriers, as well as their use in different applications.
