Protechnik Laboratories (Pty) Ltd was registered as a private R&D institution on 24 June 1987, and was shortly afterwards contracted by the then South African Defence Force (SADF) to perform quality assurance testing of chemical protective materials and equipment. Protechnik scientists also conducted preliminary research in the areas of physical detection and carbon impregnation under sponsorsip of the Defence Research and Development Board. The veterinary research facility owned by Merck Sharpe and Dohme at Hennops River west of Pretoria was purchased during 1988, which made it possible for Protechnik to expand its activities from mere quality assurance to all major areas of chemical defence research and development, viz. detection, protection and decontamination. In 1989 a chemical synthesis laboratory was established for the small scale synthesis of chemical warfare agents as test substances to support project work in these areas, as well as an analytical laboratory. Protechnik has attained ISO Guide 17025 accreditation (SANAS Testing Laboratory T032) in 2002, thus all work is performed according to international standards, thus all work is performed according to international standards.

On account of its unique capabilities in all major areas of chemical defence research, Protechnik was recognised by the DOD as the primary South African chemical defence research institution, while the Laboratory is registered as South Africa's Single Small Scale Facility (SSSF) in terms of the Chemical Weapons Convention. As a result, Protechnik was contracted to support and advise both the Departments of Trade and Industry and Foreign Affairs on technical aspects related to the implementation of the CWC. During August 2004, Protechnik Laboratories was certified by the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) in The Hague, The Netherlands as a designated laboratory in terms of the Chemical Weapons Convention.

On account of its strategic capabilities, Protechnik was purchased by Armscor in September 1994, and with the promulgation of the new Armscor Act during 2003, Protechnik became a division of Armscor Defence Institutes (Pty) Ltd in terms of the Act. During October 1997, Protechnik moved to a new purpose-built laboratory complex in Highveld Technopark in Centurion near Pretoria. The applied chemical laboratory complex was consolidated into six functional laboratories, which focus on specific areas of chemical defence research, viz: