Baking Paper vs Parchment Paper vs Greaseproof Paper vs Wax Paper vs GVP: What's the Difference?

Baking paper, parchment paper, greaseproof paper, wax paper, Genuine Vegetable Parchment (GVP)... many food papers look similar, but they are not all designed to do the same job.

Whether you're an industrial, food manufacturer, retailer, or home baker, understanding the differences between these materials can help you choose the right paper for your application.

In this guide, we'll break down the characteristics, benefits and limitations of the most common food papers used in baking and food preparation. We'll also explain how modern baking paper technologies have evolved beyond traditional solutions to deliver improved performance, efficiency and sustainability.

What is baking paper?

Baking paper is a food-contact paper specifically engineered for baking and cooking applications.

Its purpose is to provide a non-stick, heat-resistant surface that prevents food from adhering to trays, pans and moulds while ensuring consistent baking performance.

A high-quality baking paper combines several essential characteristics:

• Excellent release properties

• Heat resistance

• Grease resistance

• Food-contact safety

• Consistent performance throughout the baking process

  
  

While many people think baking paper is simply paper with a coating, modern baking papers are the result of advanced paper engineering and decades of expertise in fibre optimisation.

At Papeteries du Léman, proprietary technologies have been developed to optimise paper performance while reducing resource consumption, helping create lighter papers that maintain exceptional baking performance.

Baking Paper vs Parchment Paper: Are They the Same?

One of the most common questions is:

"What is the difference between baking paper and parchment paper?"

In most cases, there is no difference.

The terminology varies by region:

• Baking paper is the term most commonly used in Europe and many international markets.

• Parchment paper is more commonly used in North America.

  
  

Both generally refer to a heat-resistant, non-stick paper designed for baking applications.

However, not all parchment papers are manufactured the same way. The performance of the paper depends on the fibre technology, manufacturing process and release system used.

Baking Paper vs Greaseproof Paper: Understanding the Difference

One of the biggest misconceptions in the baking industry is that all greaseproof papers are the same.

In reality, there are two distinct categories.

Traditional Greaseproof Paper

Traditional greaseproof paper is manufactured to resist oils and fats through the paper-making process itself.

It is commonly used for:

• Food wrapping

• Sandwich papers

• Deli papers

• Bakery packaging

• Takeaway applications

While it offers grease resistance, it does not provide the release properties required for baking.

As a result, products such as cookies, pastries, cakes and breads tend to stick directly to the paper surface.

Traditional greaseproof paper is therefore intended primarily for packaging and food handling applications rather than baking.

Siliconized Greaseproof Paper (Baking Paper)

Siliconized greaseproof paper combines the grease resistance with a silicone treatment that creates a reliable non-stick baking surface as for a high-density greaseproof base paper (HDGP as Primabake® and GVP papers)

This is the category to which most modern baking papers belong.

The silicone treatment provides:

• Excellent release properties

• Reliable baking performance

• Easy removal of baked goods

• Reduced food waste

• Consistent results

Without this treatment, many baked products would adhere strongly to the paper surface.

This is why professional bakers and food manufacturers rely on siliconized baking papers rather than traditional greaseproof papers.

So Is Baking Paper the Same as Greaseproof Paper?

The answer is both yes and no.

Traditional greaseproof paper and baking paper are not the same product.

However, many modern baking papers—including Primabake® baking papers—are manufactured from high-performance greaseproof base papers specifically engineered for baking applications.

The difference lies in the technologies used to create the release performance required for baking.

	Traditional Greaseproof Paper	Siliconized Greaseproof Paper (Baking Paper)
Main application	Food wrapping	Baking & cooking
Grease resistance	Yes	Yes
Non-stick release	No	Yes
Suitable for cookies and pastries	No	Yes
Oven use	Poor	Yes
Food release	Poor	Excellent
Typical use	Packaging & wrapping	Baking trays, pans and cooking

Baking Paper vs Wax Paper: Why Are They Different?

Wax paper is another product frequently confused with baking paper.

What Is Wax Paper?

Wax paper is paper coated with a thin layer of wax designed to provide moisture resistance.

It is commonly used for:

• Food storage

• Food separation

• Wrapping ingredients

• Cold food preparation

Unlike baking paper, wax paper is not designed to withstand oven temperatures.

When exposed to heat, the wax coating can melt (above 100°C/ 212°F), making it unsuitable for baking applications.

Can You Bake with Wax Paper?

Generally, no.

Wax paper should not be used as a substitute for baking paper in ovens.

	Baking Paper	Wax Paper
Oven safe	Yes	No
Heat resistant	Yes	No
Non-stick baking surface	Yes	No
Food storage	Yes	Yes

For baking applications, baking paper remains the appropriate choice.

What Is GVP Paper?

GVP stands for Genuine Vegetable Parchment, a traditional high-performance paper widely used in baking and cooking applications.

GVP is produced through a parchmentising process that transforms the structure of cellulose fibres to create a paper with unique performance characteristics.

The process gives GVP:

• Excellent grease resistance

• Good wet strength

• Heat resistance

• Mechanical stability

• Food-contact suitability

For decades, GVP has been recognised as a premium material for demanding food applications.

However, the way GVP achieves these properties differs significantly from modern HDGP technologies as used for Primabake®.

HDGP (Primabake®) vs GVP: What Is the Difference?

While both products can be used in baking applications, the primary difference lies in the manufacturing process.

Genuine Vegetable Parchment: A Traditional Multi-Step Process

GVP relies on a traditional parchmentising process with a sulfuric acid bath, involving multiple manufacturing stages.

The cellulose fibres undergo extensive treatment and refining to create the parchment structure and performance characteristics.

While highly effective, this process:

• Requires multiple production stages

• Takes longer to manufacture

• Requires more extensive fibre processing

• Typically results in higher resources and production costs

GVP remains a respected and proven material, but its manufacturing process reflects traditional parchment technology, which come to be questionable in a world where high-performance, sustainability, and affordability should go hand in hand. The higher production costs, complexity and lack of recyclability associated with this process have also contributed to a gradual decline in the use of GVP across professional and industrial applications, where manufacturers increasingly seek more efficient, sustainable and cost-effective alternatives.

Primabake®: A Modern One-Step Technology

Primabake® baking papers are high-density greaseproof papers (HDGP) manufactured using proprietary GreenFiber™ technology.

Unlike Genuine Vegetable Parchment (GVP), which relies on a traditional multi-step parchmentising process, HDGP is produced through a more efficient one-step manufacturing approach. Building on these advantages, Primabake® goes a step further by integrating GreenFiber™ technology to optimise fibre performance, enhance resource efficiency and deliver exceptional baking performance.

This enables:

• Improved manufacturing efficiency

• Reduced processing requirements

• Optimised fibre utilisation

• Consistent baking performance

• Resource efficiency

The result is a modern baking paper designed to deliver the performance expected by professionals while optimising sustainability and production efficiency.

A Side-by-Side Comparison

Property	Primabake® Baking Paper/ HDGP (siliconized greaseproof)	Genuine Vegetable Parchment (GVP)(siliconized greaseproof)	Traditional Greaseproof Paper (Not siliconised)	Wax Paper
Suitable for baking	Yes	Yes	No	No
Non-stick release	Excellent	Good to very good depending on grade and food	Poor	Poor
Heat resistant	Yes	Yes	Limited depending on grade	No
Grease resistant	Yes	Excellent	Yes	Moderate
Food release	Excellent	Good	Poor	Poor
Compostable	Yes	Yes	Yes	Depends on formulation
Recyclable	Yes	No	No	No
Manufacturing process	Proprietary one-step GreenFiber™ technology	Traditional multi-step parchmentising process	Traditional paper-making process	Wax-coated paper
Resource optimisation	High	Moderate	Moderate	Moderate

What Makes Primabake® Different?

At PDL, innovation begins with the fibre.

Decades of expertise in lightweight paper manufacturing have enabled the development of proprietary GreenFiber™ technology, designed to optimise paper performance while reducing resource consumption.

This approach enables the production of lighter papers that maintain:

• Excellent release properties

• Reliable baking performance

• Heat resistance

• Consistent quality

A heavier paper does not automatically mean a better paper.

The real difference comes from engineering the fibre structure to maximise performance while using resources efficiently.

Manufactured Without PFAS

Non-stick performance is one of the defining characteristics of baking paper.

Historically, some food-contact papers relied on fluorinated substances known as PFAS to improve grease resistance.

Primabake® baking papers are manufactured without PFAS.

Instead, advanced paper technologies are used to deliver:

• Reliable release performance

• Excellent grease resistance

• Consistent baking results

This approach supports evolving expectations around responsible food-contact materials while maintaining the performance required by professionals.

Sustainable Baking Paper: Compostable and Recyclable

Today, sustainability is an essential consideration throughout the food industry.

The Primabake® range is designed with end-of-life considerations in mind.

It is:

✔ Compostable

✔ Recyclable

✔ Manufactured using proprietary GreenFiber™ technology

By combining fibre optimisation, lightweight paper expertise and efficient manufacturing processes, Primabake® helps reduce resource consumption while maintaining exceptional baking performance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is parchment paper the same as baking paper?

Yes. The terms are generally interchangeable, with "parchment paper" being more common in North America and "baking paper" more common in Europe.

Is greaseproof paper the same as baking paper?

Not always.

Traditional greaseproof paper is designed primarily for food wrapping and packaging. Siliconized greaseproof paper, however, is specifically engineered for baking applications and is commonly referred to as baking paper.

Can wax paper be used in the oven?

No. Wax paper is not designed for oven temperatures (melts above 100°C/ 212°F) and should not be used as a substitute for baking paper.

What does GVP stand for?

GVP stands for Genuine Vegetable Parchment, a traditional high-performance food paper produced through a multi-step parchmentising process.

Is Primabake® manufactured without PFAS?

Yes. Primabake® baking papers are manufactured without PFAS and are designed to provide reliable release and grease barrier performance through advanced paper technologies.

Is Primabake® compostable and recyclable?

Yes. Primabake® baking papers are compostable and recyclable while maintaining the performance required for professional baking applications.

Not All Food Papers Are Created Equal

Baking paper, greaseproof paper, wax paper and Genuine Vegetable Parchment may appear similar, but they are designed for different purposes.

Traditional greaseproof paper excels in packaging applications. Wax paper is useful for food storage. Genuine Vegetable Parchment remains a respected traditional baking material.

Modern baking papers such as Primabake® build upon decades of paper expertise by combining advanced fibre engineering, proprietary GreenFiber™ technology, efficient one-step manufacturing, excellent release performance, and a sustainability profile that includes both compostability and recyclability.

Because when it comes to baking, the right paper makes all the difference.

For media inquiries or further information, please contact:

Alizée Degorce

Email: alizee.degorce@avere.pro 

Phone: +33 698961146

For more information, visit primabake.com

About Papeteries du Léman: Papeteries du Léman (PDL) is a leading specialty paper manufacturer, known for its high-quality, eco-conscious products such as Primabake baking paper. With a century of papermaking expertise, PDL is committed to driving sustainable innovation and crafting reliable solutions for professionals in the culinary and packaging industries. Learn more at primabake.com.