Abstract: Fine grained material such as raw cement meal is preheated in a preheater and discharged from the latter into a rotary kiln for calcining and through which hot exhaust gases pass in counterflow to the material. Immediately after introduction of the material to the kiln fuel is sprayed onto the surface of the material and is covered either by additional material from the preheater or by circulation of the material already in the kiln, due to rotation of the kiln at an elevated speed. The fuel is combusted virtually entirely within the kiln and substantially directly at the material without previous gasification of the fuel.