Apparatus and method for the production of cement clinker, wherein raw meal is preheated in a heat exchanger and is burnt in a kiln to form cement clinker and the exhaust gases from the kiln flow in succession through the heat exchanger and a catalytic converter, wherein the exhaust gases are analysed before and/or after the catalytic converter arid the preheated raw meal is precalcined in a calciner. Moreover, for the subsequent catalytic exhaust gas purification the provision of a calciner has the advantage that higher exhaust gas temperatures are produced so that a throughput is produced. As a result the required volume of the catalytic converter is reduced and the investment costs are lowered.