That hasn't happened. Just as hot-dog makers use parts of the animal that would otherwise be wasted, makers of composites grind up branches, small trees, sawmill scrap and inferior wood that otherwise couldn't be used for furniture. Some even use wheat straw or other agricultural waste. This steady advance of composites, which is expected to continue, is largely a matter of cost. Another consideration is that the quality of composites has improved.
Computerized machinery produces more consistent, reliable boards.
Better glues make veneers less likely to peel off. Unlike solid wood, many composites offer a uniform density with no knots or other flaws, making them more suited to mass production. Composites also are less prone to expand or contract with changes in humidity. The result is that composites show up everywhere. When asked, though, they say composite cores make the furniture less likely to warp.