ST. LOUIS, April 2, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Zoltek Companies, Inc. (Nasdaq:ZOLT) today responded to material inaccuracies in a research report published March 27, 2009, by Stuart Bush of RBC Capital Markets, entitled "Pricing and Order Pipeline Deteriorates Further; Reiterate Sell." Shortly after releasing the report, Mr. Bush transmitted it to Zsolt Rumy, Zoltek's Chairman and CEO, with a note that read, "Zsolt: If you won't talk with me or allow me on the conference calls, I have to develop my assessment elsewhere: see my latest report below. The investors in the company seem to trust my assessment more than yours."

Mr. Rumy commented, "Although we typically would not dignify such a report passed off as independent 'research' with any response, this piece was so malicious and contained so much misinformation that we believe the interests of our customers and shareholders demand that we set the record straight. We think this is another example of Bush's lack of understanding of our business and, as noted above, less than professional motives. We are at a loss to understand Bush's statement that the 'outlier strength' in our stock price was attributable to my overly optimistic outlook presented at the JEC industry trade show at which we met with customers and potential customers but did not speak publicly."

Zoltek cited the following inaccuracies in Bush's report:

 * Bush states that wind turbine manufacturers and blade suppliers    
   are "the key existing and potential customers for Zoltek." While wind  
   energy was the first breakthrough application that validated our low- 
   cost commercialization strategy and will continue to play a substantial
   role in our business for the foreseeable future, we have regularly
   advised shareholders that carbon fiber is an enabling material for
   many applications we are actively pursuing which have the potential to
   substantially exceed our wind energy volumes. These applications
   include automotive, deep-sea oil field, non-airframe aerospace and
   electricity transmission, among others.
 * Contrary to Bush's report, Zoltek never provided specific guidance for
   fiscal 2009 revenues, although we have shared management's views as to
   the potential for the business if the Company is successful in
   translating identified growth opportunities into new long-term
   contracts. Rather, in recent announcements Zoltek has reiterated that
   it cannot predict the timing of new contracts and that sales for
   fiscal 2009 may lag historical growth rates. Zoltek also has advised
   shareholders that it is not immune from recessionary conditions in the
   global economy, volatility in raw material and energy costs or
   fluctuations in foreign currency values.