A sun umbrella, also known as a parasol, is an umbrella used to block direct sunlight and protect against ultraviolet (UV) rays. Some products also offer rain protection. Sun protection is achieved through a coating or high-density fabric. The national standard GB/T 23147-2018 stipulates that UV-protective products must meet the requirements of UPF > 40 and UVA transmittance < 5%, with high-quality products reaching UPF 50+. The canopy material is mainly polyester or black-coated fabric, with a darker inner layer more effectively reducing UV transmission. Based on usage, they are divided into handheld umbrellas and fixed umbrellas: handheld umbrellas emphasize portability and use lightweight materials such as carbon fiber; fixed umbrellas emphasize wind resistance, with ribs made of materials such as steel and aluminum alloy.
Sun umbrellas can be traced back to sun protection tools used by ancient Egyptian nobles, and their use began in China during the Qing Dynasty. Modern sun umbrellas gradually became popular in the 20th century. In 2013, Banxia launched a double-layer black-coated sun umbrella, using L.R.C. coating technology to achieve a 99% UV blocking rate. With the upgrading of consumption, the industry is developing towards specialization: ultralight umbrellas weigh less than 100 grams and adopt carbon fiber and honeycomb structure design; smart sun umbrellas integrate solar charging technology, such as the Anker SOLIX solar umbrella equipped with perovskite batteries and IP67 waterproof function. In 2023, the Chinese sun umbrella market reached US$327.96 million, accounting for 7.82% of the global market.