The steel industry is responsible for 5% of total energy consumption and contributes 6% of CO₂ emissions worldwide [1]. Brazil produces around 30% of the world's charcoal and a large part of this is used to produce pig iron, ferroalloys and silicon metal. There is a large proportion of artisanal production in the country and pressure for sustainable production systems has led to the development of new clean technologies with higher yields [2]. There are a total of 21 types of carbonization furnaces, of which there are 172 patents with various improvements to the carbonization process [3].

Residues from rice, maize, soy, wheat and other crops such as bambo have high energy potential, and these sources can contribute to increasing electricity generation [4]. The carbonization process has evolved, as has furnace productivity, and making full use of the energy contained in biomass has reached technological limits [5]. With finite natural resources and an industry that is intensive for the development of society, it is necessary to develop alternatives in the direction of the circular economy [6].

This article carries out an analysis of the availability of maize waste and bamboo biomass in Brazil, as well as a review of the optimized carbonization process, where there is use of the gases generated and co-products from the pyrolysis process. The article also evaluates a charcoal generation process that can be adapted to the conditions of biomass availability in the regions of Brazil.