Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for coating a particulate material. A mixer defines a mixing chamber and receives a particulate material. An agitator includes a plurality of arms projecting radially outward from the shaft and a plurality of paddle blades positioned on the ends of the arms. The blades are formed such that the particulate material in the mixing chamber is directed in a rotational direction, a radially inward direction and an axial direction within the mixing chamber. A material feed system is provided for delivering a first coating material into the mixing chamber during rotation of the agitator, a polymer material during mixing of the coated particulate material and a reaction material for causing a reaction between the colorant feed and the polymer feed for creating an encapsulated particulate material.