KATO, Hyogo Pref. — Panasonic Corp. and its fully owned unit Panasonic Eco Technology Center Co. said Thursday they have developed new technology that makes it possible to recycle old-style TV sets three times faster and leaves less waste than previous methods.

The technology uses laser beams to cut the front glass panel away from the cathode ray tube, a key component in the recycling process. Other parts are broken into tiny bits and recycled into plastics, steel and other materials.

The new technology is aimed at dealing with the surge in recycling older TVs ahead of 2011 and the country's shift to terrestrial digital broadcasting, when a great many people are expected to replace their bulky old sets in favor of flat-screen models that take advantage of the new service.