Americas at Independent Commodity Intelligence Services, which analyzes energy and chemical markets. “It’s kind of whack-a-mole — something goes wrong, it gets sorted out, then something else happens. And it’s been that way since the pandemic began.”

Now, according to Independent Commodity Intelligence Service Figures, the price of PVC has skyrocketed by 70 percent.

The price of epoxy resins utilized for coatings, adhesives, and paints has soared 170 percent. And ethylene, known as the world’s most important chemical, used in everything from packaging to antifreeze, has jumped 43 percent in the past year.

All has conspired to lower the availability and raise the prices on the materials used in the manufacturing of swimming pool equipment, hot tubs, pool liners, fiberglass shells, and more.

If it’s made of plastic, it is more expensive now.

So, what do we have to look forward to in the new year?

The more optimistic among us see a gradual easing of prices as the supply chain returns to normal and factories return to pre-disaster, pre-pandemic operations.

Thelessoptimisticenvisionacontinuing struggle that may go on indefinitely.

Our suggestion is to hold tight, preserve resources, and hope for the best.