The invention relates to an apparatus and a method for the processing of plastic material, with a receptacle or cutter-compactor (1) into which the material to be treated can be introduced, in the lower region of which a discharge opening (10) is provided, through which the processed material can be ejected from the receptacle (1), for example into an extruder (11). According to the invention, the receptacle (1) is divided into at least two chambers (6a, 6b, 6c, . . . ) separated from each other by an intermediate base (2′, 2″, . . . ), wherein at least one mixing or comminution tool (7a, 7b, 7c, . . . ) is arranged which acts upon the material in each chamber (6a, 6b, 6c, . . . ), with which the material can be converted into a softened but permanently lumpy or particle-shaped and not melted state and wherein means (5′, 5″, . . . ) are provided which effect or permit an exchange or a transfer of the softened, lumpy, not melted material between each directly adjacent chamber (6a, 6b, 6c, . . . ).