an apparatus for applying a thermoplastic high - polymer material , in particular an adhesive , to a substrate , comprising an application head having at least one feed passage for the liquefied material in the application head , a nozzle - like outlet opening at the end of the feed passage and a valve arrangement for opening and closing the feed passage or the outlet opening , respectively , includes a rotatable rotation element provided in the application head and having a passage which aligns with the feed passage and merges into the outlet opening .