Germany's Fuchs suspends operations at Saudi joint venture plant after fire (updated)

Fuchs Se

31/07/2026 08:58

Adds details from company statement in paragraph 2, context in paragraph 4
Fire on July 25 causes severe damage at Yanbu site
Company expects no impact on full-year forecast
Unclear if fire caused by Houthi attack
By Emanuele  Berro
July 31 (Reuters) - German lubricants maker Fuchs FPEn.DE said on Friday that production at its jointly owned facility in Yanbu, Saudi Arabia, had been suspended until further notice after a fire on Saturday caused severe damage to the site.
It is unclear whether the fire was caused by Saturday's attacks on Saudi Red Sea ports by Iran-aligned Houthi militants from Yemen. 
A Fuchs spokesperson told Reuters the company relied on information provided by its business partner and could not provide any further details.
No employees were injured, the company added.
Yanbu, Saudi Arabia's main Red Sea oil port, has become the main route out for Saudi oil skirting the Strait of Hormuz that has been blockaded by Iran.
Fuchs, which holds a minority stake in the joint venture with Alhamrani Group, said it would maintain customer supply through alternative production and sourcing arrangements while reconstruction plans are put in place.
    The incident is not expected to affect the company's full-year operating profit forecast, the spokesperson said.

(Reporting by Emanuele Berro and Sabine Wollrab
Editing by Ludwig Burger and Miranda Murray)
((Emanuele.Berro@thomsonreuters.com; +48 587696510))