A process for producing a synthetic and/or fuel gas from an organic containing material by utilizing a thermal pretreatment operation and a gasification reactor. The organic containing material is passed through a thermal pre-treatment operation to produce a gas fraction and a solid fraction. The solid fraction is processed in gasification reactor whereby product gas is produced, and contaminated products are processed for safe disposal. The thermal pre-treatment of the organic containing material produces a solid fraction which can be directly supplied to the gasification reactor without a need to supply a high quality coke to the gasification reactor thereby simplifying the process. The gas fraction and product gas produced from the thermal pre-treatment operation and/or gasification reaction, respectively, can be recycled so as to supply energy and/or processing gas for the various other processes.