Kumho Petrochemical employees pose after delivering briquettes to the underprivileged in Daejeon, Dec. 20. Courtesy of Kumho Petrochemical

Researchers at Kumho Petrochemical's Central Research Center in Daejeon delivered briquettes to the underprivileged in the local community as part of their year-end charity initiatives, the company said Wednesday.

Briquettes are compressed cylinders of fuel made from charcoal used for heating and cooking.

More than 20 researchers and other staff members at the R&D center delivered 1,200 briquettes to four households in Daejeon's Gayang 1-dong on Dec. 20. They also donated another 2,400 of the charcoal cylinders to a civic organization that runs a briquette bank.

Kumho Petrochemical has been donating and delivering briquettes to the underprivileged as part of its charity programs every year since 2015 except during the COVID-19 pandemic period. To date, the company has delivered over 36,000 briquettes to seven locations in and around Daejeon.

"We are delighted to resume volunteer activities after a three-year suspension due to the pandemic, and we will continue our efforts of sharing with the local community," said Ko Young-hoon, the center's head.

Kumho Petrochemical has been actively engaged in various social contribution activities, including a marine environment cleanup campaign on Baekyado Island near Yeosu, South Jeolla Province, and a firefly release program in Ulsan.

The company said it will expand social activity programs to foster mutual growth with local communities.

The R&D center, which opened in 1973 to develop synthetic rubber and other materials, has since expanded its scope, evolving into a full-fledged research facility focused on comprehensive materials in chemical science.