Process and apparatus for treatment of a material

An apparatus for the treatment of material, the material comprising thermoplastic polymer particles or polymer flakes, the apparatus comprising:

• at least one receiving container or cutting compressor which is cylindrical and comprises a horizontal bottom surface and a vertical side wall;
• at least one mixing tool disposed in the receiving container or cutting compressor, wherein the tool is rotatable about a vertical axis, wherein the tool causes the material to rotate;
• at least one gas supply means for the entrance of a gas into an interior of the receiving container or cutting compressor disposed at the receiving container or cutting compressor below a level of the material during operation;
• and
• at least one gas removal means for the discharge of the gas from the receiving container or cutting compressor, disposed at the receiving container or cutting compressor above the level of the material during operation;
• wherein the gas supply means is disposed in the side wall of the receiving container or cutting compressor and supplies the gas through the side wall of the receiving container or cutting compressor into the receiving container or cutting compressor such that the gas directly contacts the material adjacent the side wall immediately upon the entrance of the gas through the side wall into the interior of the receiving container or cutting compressor.