Lean and green is the way forward, at least according to Panasonic’s plasma TV division, which has announced plans to launch slimmer and more eco-friendly plasmas throughout 2009.

The firm has claimed that its slimmer sets, which will reach the UK this summer, will be a quarter of the thickness of its previous plasma models while consuming around 50 per cent less electricity.

Although specific details about the sets that it will launch are still under wraps, Panasonic has confirmed that it will unveil a 1in-thick model with a 50in screen. It will use about 260kWh of power per year and be priced – in Japan, at least - at ¥600,000 (£4,726/$6,700/€5,221).

Panasonic has also set itself the target of boosting its worldwide combined plasma and LCD sales by 50 per cent to 15.5m units for its financial year starting in April.

Last year saw 15.5m plasma sets shipped worldwide, according to analyst DisplaySearch. Panasonic was the only plasma panel maker to see yearly shipment growth during Q4 2008, expanding its shipment share to 47 per cent. ®