Process and apparatus for producing an aqueous polymer solution comprising the steps of • (a) providing a hydrated polymer that has been prepared by aqueous solution polymerisation of ethylenically unsaturated monomers, which hydrated polymer comprises at least 10% by weight active polymer; • (b) cutting the hydrated polymer by subjecting the hydrated polymerto at least one cutting stage comprising at least one stream of aqueous liquid at a pressure of at least 150 bar to reduce the size of the hydrated polymer, • (c) dissolving the hydrated polymer in an aqueous liquid so as to obtain an aqueous polymer solution.