From 1984 to 1992, Kurt studied technical chemistry at the University of Technology Vienna, where he completed his diploma work and doctoral thesis on the subject of biotechnological processes for pulp and paper manufacture. In 1991 he undertook internships at the Finnish Research Center in Espoo and the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology (UMIST).

Between 1992 and 1993, he worked as a research scienst at the University of Wisconsin and the Forest Products Laboratory in Madison, Wisconsin, USA. From 1993 to 2000, he served as the manager of research and development for paper chemicals and natural resins at Krems Chemie AG, which later became Neste Chemicals and Kemira Chemie in Krems, Austria.

During the period from 1998 to 1999, Kurt held the position of deputy chairman of the technical committee of the Hydrocarbon and Rosin Resin Producers Association at CEFIC in Brussels.

Since January 2000, Kurt has been the founder and managing director of Technical Conference Management KG.

In terms of publications, Kurt has written several original papers in journals and is a co-author of two books and three technical manuscripts. He has presented numerous papers at conferences in Europe, America, and Asia, and has also filed several patents and patent applications.

Kurt has received the Erwin Schrödinger Fellowship from the Austrian Science Fund and a mobility scholarship from the University of Technology Vienna.

In addition to his professional achievements, Kurt volunteers as an emergency paramedic and field training officer with the Austrian Red Cross and is a member of Lions Clubs International. Kurt has completed 22 marathons and holds a private pilot license.