Chicago-based Bagcraft Papercon Inc., a food packaging company, boasted a new line of food wrapping made from unbleached paper. The pale brown paper shows up around food like miniature pizzas and deli sandwiches. Unlike plastic, which is largely made from non-renewable resources, paper comes from a renewable source. The company helps consumers recognize the products’ sustainability in a crowded marketplace with the name "EcoCraft" and the tagline "The natural advantage."

"As an industry, our challenge is: How do we go to market with a product that a consumer recognizes as being sustainable?" said Tim Love, national accounts director for Bagcraft Papercon.

Vernon Hills-based Tetra Pak Inc. had a busy, expansive exhibit devoted to sustainable packaging. The company focuses on manufacturing food and beverage packaging from renewable resources, reducing the amount of material surrounding products and offsetting its carbon emissions by purchasing energy certificates, said spokeswoman Giovanna Prestes Lemos. Tetra Pak’s colorful product displays and array of shiny production machines drew a crowd near the expo’s entrance.

Held at McCormick Place Wednesday through Saturday, the expo covers more than one million square feet and is expected to draw 25,000 attendees. The event, which is open to trade professionals, is sponsored by the International Dairy Foods Association and the American Institute. It features two co-located events: the American Meat Institute Meat, Poultry & Seafood Industry Convention and Exposition, and the Food, Dairy & Beverage Exposition.