He studied at the ETH Zurich and obtained a doctorate in 1878 under Robert Bunsen at the Heidelberg University. Lippmann ran large sugar refineries, in Duisburg and later in Halle.
Lippmann pursued higher education at the ETH Zurich, graduating with a doctoral degree from Heidelberg University in 1878 under Robert Bunsen's supervision. Subsequently, he oversaw substantial sugar processing facilities in Duisburg and Halle.