International Day of Women and Girls in Science

MILAN (Feb. 11, 2022) – Since 2016, on 11 February, we have celebrated the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, established by the United Nations. The purpose of the day is to promote the full and equal participation of women and girls in science and technology, thus contributing to gender equality through the respect for and recognition of their presence and supporting their inclusion and professional growth.

These achievements may seem evident in advanced countries, but even a country like Italy struggles in this field. Luckily, there are some virtuous organizations in which scientific research becomes more important when done by women. One of these is the De Nora Group, founded by Oronzio De Nora in 1923 and today an international player in the design, production, and supply of electrochemical technologies and plants for water treatment. Since the 1950s, De Nora has been working on the electrochemical production of hydrogen using its electrolyzer: in recent years, it has invested heavily in the development of a new generation of activated electrodes able to make the production of economically competitive green hydrogen through electrolysis of water powered by renewable energy, as a sustainable alternative to conventionally produced grey hydrogen, i.e., that uses natural gas and releases CO2.

The role of science understood as the research and development of innovative solutions applied to a wide range of industrial sectors has always been fundamental and strategic for the Milan-based Group, which has historically adopted an inclusive approach to women, especially in technical and scientific roles.

In the Company's research and development laboratories, female staff exceeds 37% worldwide and 48% in the Italian laboratory where most of the De Nora patents are developed. Alice Calderara, Electrodes Technologies Manager, coordinates a group of 4 female and 2 male researchers right in the Italian laboratory. With 39 years of activity in the Company, Alice Calderara is also one of the most prolific inventors in the whole Group. "We perform research on electrodes aiming to bring efficiency in terms of energy consumption and product life cycle," Calderara explains, without concealing her great passion for science: "Mine is the best job in the world, I wouldn't change it for anything else. At De Nora, I have never experienced any form of exclusion here. The only important thing is expertise. Proof of this is that women hold roles of responsibility, and this can be an inspiration for young women interested in entering the profession."

This has been a constant feature of the Company over the years, as Irene Teresa Morena, a very young chemical engineer who works in the Engineering department, where half the staff is female, explains: "I have been working at De Nora for 4 years, and I have never had any problems in this regard. Expertise is recognized regardless of who expresses it." Irene's goal has always been to have a professional career in science, and thanks to De Nora, she was given a chance to do so.

The Group's fortune has always come from its inventions, and today the big challenge is the great leap towards the energy transition; here, its female scientists play a decisive role. Currently, the patent portfolio includes about 260 inventions and over 2,700 extensions. "Most of our female researchers have worked on patents in the fields of the chloralkali process, and in electrode coatings for new applications, including water electrolysis for producing green hydrogen," explains Barbara Riva, biologist, who has been working at De Nora in the Global Intellectual Property Department for 10 years.

While the Group is a kind of oasis where female scientists can freely express their talent, the Company's attention to the world of women is also demonstrated by the adoption of a series of inclusive policies, including complete flexibility in terms of working hours, unlimited remote working for 5 months before and after mandatory maternity leave to facilitate the smooth return to the office, widespread part-time contracts for the first 3 years of the child's life, etc.

Days like 11 February are "beneficial because there is still a huge issue about women today," Alice Calderara continues. It is commonly felt at De Nora that women usually have an evident talent for listening, inclusion, and a fair interpretation of situations, which foster sharing and conflict solving. "We bear witness to the fact that this can be done," adds Anna Ramunni, a young laboratory researcher. Recently, a colleague became pregnant, and by law, she can't enter the laboratory. By coordinating the work, we were able to re-organize things quickly and efficiently." Since she was a child, the third generation of a family of researchers, Anna has always wanted to work in science, and at De Nora, her dream has come true. She overturns a romantic idea of scientists: "You don't have to be a genius," Ramunni explains, "what you need is perseverance, because there are many failures in scientific research, and commitment, so as not to give up, and lots of work." There are characteristics that sometimes "even women themselves don't recognize: you shouldn't set yourself limits, but rather be creative," Calderara concludes.

Heading one of the Group Divisions, De Nora Water Technologies, is a woman CEO, Mirka Wilderer, who is an inspiration for these young female researchers who, in turn, do not set themselves limits, confident that they can break through the glass ceiling: "Where do I see myself in ten years? Richer, in terms of acquired skills, and the manager of a team," Anna Ramunni concludes confidently.