The production of furfural and xylose from corn cob hydrolysis generates significant residues. Utilizing these residues in blast furnace (BF) injection could reduce costs and fossil CO<inf>2</inf> emissions in the ironmaking process. This study analyzed the physicochemical and combustion behaviors of hydrolyzed corn cob residues from six biomass chemical enterprises. The residues mainly contain cellulose and lignin, resulting in high volatile matter, low fixed carbon, and energy density. They retain a loose, porous structure with oxygen-rich surfaces, enhancing combustion performance. However, high alkali metal content limits their BF injection application. Combustion kinetics revealed a two-stage process corresponding to cellulose and lignin combustion, with activation energies ranging from 24.6 to 53.3 kJ/mol for cellulose and 8.8–27.3 kJ/mol for lignin. Increasing heating rates elevate activation energies due to enhanced molecular motion and reaction participation. These insights provide valuable guidance for integrating biomass waste into ironmaking, supporting cost reduction and carbon neutrality in the steel industry. Replacing 30 % of the daily injection agent in a medium-sized blast furnace with corn cob hydrolyzed residue can reduce fuel costs by approximately 30 %, equivalent to savings of about RMB 10 per ton of hot iron. For a steel plant with an annual output of 3 million tons, this translates to annual savings of approximately RMB 10–15 million.