A Norfolk company that makes biodegradable products says it could be forced to leave the UK because of a new ban on single use plastics.

Horsham St Faith based firm Solinatra makes fully compostable plastic but says the new legislation, due to come into force in October, would make it impossible for them to continue production.

Eastern Daily Press: Solinatra makes bio-degradable plastic for products like cutlery and coffee podsSolinatra makes bio-degradable plastic for products like cutlery and coffee pods (Image: Solinatra)

In its current form, the ban covers all single-use plastic products, including “bio-based, biodegradable and compostable plastics".

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Global tech lead, Simon Girdlestone, said this applies to Solinatra products, which include cutlery and coffee pods, even though they fully break down within 45 days and contain no fossil fuel derived materials.

What’s more, he added that the government awarded the company £500,000 grant last year to boost its work.

Eastern Daily Press: Solinatra's Simon Girdlestone said a new ban on single-use plastic would force them out of the UKSolinatra's Simon Girdlestone said a new ban on single-use plastic would force them out of the UK (Image: Solinatra)

He said: “We were very happy initially that there was going to be a single-use plastic ban, because that’s the whole reason we started the company.

“But in their infinite wisdom the government has included compostable plastics, which we fall under, even though our material is totally natural, bio-degradable, and 100pc plant-based.

“On the one hand the government is funding us and helping us to do this project and be innovative, and then on the other hand they’re saying the stuff that you develop using the money we’ve given you - you’re not allowed to make anything with it.

“It’s very confusing, it doesn’t make sense.”

Eastern Daily Press: Candy Richards, from the Federation of Small Businesses, said the government should review the banCandy Richards, from the Federation of Small Businesses, said the government should review the ban (Image: Candy Richards)

The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) is now calling on the government to review the inclusion of biomaterials in the ban.

Development manager, Candy Richards, said: "The clock is ticking with this ban.

"We’re urging the government to engage with organisations like Solinatra so they understand that they are part of the solution, not part of the problem.

"The government needs to show its commitment to being at the forefront of sustainable and green technology."