Zoltek Cos. Inc. posted a loss in its fiscal third quarter as wind farm developers delay projects to see how they can cash in on the federal stimulus package.

The company lost $1.4 million in the quarter ended June 30, compared with a profit of $2.3 million a year ago.

Sales for the third quarter totaled $30.3 million, down 33 percent from $45 million a year earlier.

Anticipation of greatly increased government stimulus spending on wind energy has caused many wind farm developers to delay starting new projects as they wait to see what benefits will appear from the stimulus program, Zoltek Chairman and Chief Executive Zsolt Rumy said. At the same time, he said, financing of major wind farm developments disappeared.

To respond to the drop in demand, Zoltek has idled the carbon fiber production lines that it started in Hungary and Mexico in fiscal 2008. The lines were responsible for $2.6 million in carrying costs in the third quarter, the company said.

"Our short-term results have been severely affected by a sudden combination of unfavorable events - truly, a perfect storm," Rumy said in a statement. "... We have seen a sudden, if only temporary, slowdown in the growth of wind turbine business, combined with a dramatic decrease in the aerospace market due to the adverse impact of unexpected delays in the introduction of new jetliners. All of this has led to blurring the line between commercial and aerospace markets and put a sudden stop in market expansion."

Bridgeton, Mo.-based Zoltek Cos. Inc. manufactures carbon fiber products.