Brazil is the largest world charcoal producer. Surface kilns with semi-spherical form built with bricks with or without recovery of by-products called "Tail Quente" are the most important systems used for charcoal production. The un-recovered pyrolysis products released to environment by this technology are major pollutants. Some alternatives integrating existing or improved carbonization units within a global biomass economy are presented. In these alternatives the carbonization reactors can be used for primary biomass conversion, for densification, for power and heat production or as core technology in new bio-refineries. Some of the technical and economical limitations to implement these concepts are discussed. © 2006 Elsevier Ltd. 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