Extrusion die plate construction

An extrusion die for a pelletizing apparatus comprising:

• a die body;
• a die insert carried by said die body and being rigidly secured thereto, said die insert including
• a die plate having a die plate face and a die plate back surface, said die plate having at least one first port extending therethrough, and
• at least one extrusion port formation projecting from said die plate back surface, said port formation defining at least one second port, said first port being in register with said second port, said die plate and said extrusion port formation comprising a monolithic structure;
• and
• a cavity defining a heat exchange chamber for circulation of a heating medium therein and being formed at least partially by said die body, at least a portion of said port formation being received in said cavity such that said port formation and said cavity form a heat exchanger of the shell and tube type whereby said heating medium is in direct heat exchange relationship with said portion of said port formation received in said cavity.