[2] After education at the local Gymnasium he became an apprentice to a dyer in Winterthur before moving to Zürich to work in a silk firm.

[1][6] He was a pioneer in applying the principles of physical chemistry and thermodynamics to industrial processes and by 1880 was considered to be a world authority on the manufacture of alkali.

[9] He argued against the production of alkali by the electrolysis of brine because of the enormous amount of electrical power this would require[10] although he was later to have second thoughts.

[11] When the Leblanc factories merged in 1890 to form the United Alkali Company, Hurter was placed in charge of developing a research laboratory in Widnes.

[15] As chief chemist to the United Alkali Company, despite his failing health, he travelled to a number of countries in Europe and also made one visit to the USA.

[7] Hurter remained a Swiss citizen throughout his life and sent his children to receive part of their education in Switzerland.