Most parchment paper is now vegetable parchment. It is made from a base paper of cotton rags or alpha cellulose, known as waterleaf, which contains no sizing or filling materials. The waterleaf is treated with sulfuric acid, converting a part of the cellulose into a gelatin-like amyloid. When the sulfuric acid is washed off, the amyloid film hardens on the paper. The strength of the paper is increased and will not disintegrate even when fully wet. Parchment paper can withstand heat and items will not stick to it.