The invention relates to an apparatus and to a method for continuous production of materials, preferably for the production of material panels from substantially non-metallic material, comprising a continuous furnace (1) for continuous heating of material (3) on a continuously circulating conveyor belt (10) and a press (2) connected downstream in the production direction (15), wherein the continuous furnace (1) has a plurality of magnetrons (4) for producing electromagnetic waves wherein the continuous furnace has hollow conductors (5) having discharge openings (6) for feeding the waves into aradiation chamber (14). The problem addressed by the invention is that of enabling a reaction to various modes of operation for the continuous furnace and in particular that of heating the material used in an optimal manner for later compression. According to the invention a control or regulating device (17) is arranged for controlling individual or grouped magnetrons (4), in order to operate themagnetrons using different powers (L) in order to create a differentiated power profile, preferably in and/or transversely with respect to the production direction (15).