## 3 Literature Review
### Peat Processing Technologies and Peat Applications
#### 3.2.2 The Potential of High Added Value of Peat Products and Materials
Peat blocks can even be used for up to 75 years. It is estimated that using peat blocks in the building sector can reduce energy consumption. Architects have increasingly used biopositive materials in renovation and eco-building. Another possibility for peat use in construction is fibreboard made from agricultural residues and peat moss. Fibreboard using peat moss was evaluated as an effective and practical solution among the other insulation materials [156; 158]. Peat has been successfully used as an effective thermal insulation material with high thermal properties. Peat's thermal conductivity as an insulation material is from 0.037 to 0.08 W/m/K [158]. Peat also has attractive antibacterial properties for use in construction materials [158]. A new type of peat composite building material was developed, allowing for the three-dimensional printing of entire house structures (walls, floors, ceilings, etc.). Peat can be used as a filler to improve materials' thermal properties. The test samples were 3D-printed using a novel printing apparatus. The print head was a nozzle that conveyed a moist peat-ash mixture with compressed air [158]. In existing 3D printing technologies,concrete fibre clay has been used, but in test samples, a mixture of peat, silica, ash, and water was used for printing. The samples were kept at room temperature and 100% relative humidity [158]. Currently, the vast majority of production is focused on either planting substrates or using the product as fuel for heating purposes. It is possible to utilise peat as a building material, including for the 3D printing of whole buildings and for creating panels that provide thermal and acoustic insulation. Peat composite materials and their use as construction materials have been evaluated for their potential to reduce CO\({}_{2}\) emissions from peat [158]. * **Biocomposites from peat** Peat composite materials in blocks or pellets are estimated to have potential in design and construction. The possibility of using peat is presented in the production of biological adhesives, where peat is a binder. For peat to be used as a biological binder, it must first be treated using hydro cavitation [159]. Biodegradable polymers should also be added to composite materials. Composite materials can be used both in construction and as a material for furniture production [160]. * **Packaging** Research shows that it is possible to use peat as an ingredient in biodegradable packaging, also promoting carbon sequestration. These packaging materials are an alternative solution to traditional plastics from fossil materials, reducing GHG emissions. Studies have shown a promising efficiency for peat as a raw material in packaging production. It has been investigated that it is possible to use peat as a raw material in producing biodegradable containers and films, thus offering the opportunity to use biological materials instead of traditional fossil materials. Such materials are rated as highly resistant to moisture and rotting risks [30; 94; 95]. * **Sorbents** It is possible to produce biosorbents from peat. Sorbents can be made from unprocessed peat. Biochar, where peat is used as a raw material, can serve as an alternative solution to chemical sorbents. Using biochar produced from peat positively affects carbon sequestration and water retention and improves soil fertility. Peat has been assessed as having a high potential for environmental remediation [161]. Using peat and producing activated carbon to purify liquid or gaseous media from pollution is also possible. The processing methods used are heat treatment and chemical modification. During the pyrolysis of peat, volatile organic compounds and moisture are separated, forming a denser carbon content. After removing organic compounds, the structure is porous, and biochar can provide better sorption. Decomposed peat can produce solid sorbents used to purify water from heavy metals, wastewater, and radioactive compounds [146; 147; 162].