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Peat is much more than just fuel
For many people, peat brings energy production to mind. That is, however, only one of peat’s uses. Today peat’s most important applications are found in agriculture, horticulture and environmental care – and in these areas demand for peat is growing internationally too.
1. Bedding peat – for animal welfare
Bedding peat is the most common use of peat in Finnish agriculture. It is used in the stalls and tie-stall barns of horses, cattle, pigs and poultry.
Peat absorbs liquid 10–15 times its own weight – clearly more than straw or wood shavings. It also binds ammonia odour effectively, which improves stable air and animal health.
- Horse stables – a soft base that reduces strain on legs
- Dairy farms – a hygienic stall that reduces the risk of mastitis
- Pig farms – easy to handle mechanically
- Broiler farms – a dry, warm floor base
2. Horticultural peat – for gardening and growing
- Nursery growing – professional nurseries in Finland and Central Europe
- Greenhouse growing – cucumber, tomato, pepper
- Vegetable growing – carrot, onion, lettuce
- Home gardens – soil mixes and planting peat
- Golf courses and landscaping
Horticultural peat is sold both unfertilised (professional use, where the grower controls the nutrients) and fertilised (home gardens and consumer use).
3. Fuel peat – energy production
Fuel peat is an important domestic energy source in Finland, especially for regional heating plants and industrial process heating. Its energy content is about 20–22 MJ/kg (dry), which makes it an efficient fuel.
- Regional heating plants – district heating networks
- Industrial heat – paper mills, sawmill industry
- Combined heat and power (CHP)
4. Environmental peat – protection and remediation
Environmental peat is a growing application, in which peat’s natural properties are used in environmental care:
- Oil spill response – peat absorbs oil from the water surface and is used to clean up oil damage
- Water body protection – filters runoff water before it reaches waterways
- Composting – mixed into compost masses to improve structure
- Soil remediation – in the treatment of contaminated land areas
- Wetland construction – restoration of natural sites
Peat use internationally
Finnish peat is valued abroad as well. The largest export countries are the Netherlands, Germany, Poland and other Central European countries, where professional horticulture and greenhouse production are large-scale.
Tainikoski delivers peat directly to Europe through the ports of Kemi and Oulu. International demand focuses especially on unfertilised horticultural peat and bedding peat.
Do you need peat for your farm or business? See all Tainikoski peat products or request a quote.
