*Cuts 2009/10 net forecast to 30 bln yen loss from break-even
*Cites costs for early retirement, product recall
*Shares close down 1.7 pct vs Nikkei's 2.6 pct fall
TOKYO, Sept 25 (Reuters) - Japan's Sanyo Electric Co Ltd said it is likely to post a net loss for the year to March, instead of its previous estimate to break even, as costs for its voluntary retirement scheme and a product recall weigh.
The world's largest rechargeable battery maker now expects to post an annual net loss of 30 billion yen ($331 million), compared with the consensus of a 10.7 billion yen loss in a poll of six analysts by Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S.
Sanyo, which is in the process of being acquired by consumer electronics giant Panasonic Corp, said 845 workers have applied for its voluntary retirement programme that will become effective on Sept. 30, costing the company 11.1 billion yen.
The Osaka-based company, which is recalling several models of its hybrid washer/dryer machine on concern that under certain conditions they could catch fire, estimates the recall costs at about 10 billion yen.
Ahead of the announcement, shares in Sanyo closed down 1.7 percent at 233 yen, outperforming the benchmark Nikkei average, which fell 2.6 percent. (Reporting by Kiyoshi Takenaka; Editing by Hugh Lawson)