NL Industries, Inc.                          Contact:    Robert D. Hardy
16825 Northchase Drive, Suite 1200                       Chief Financial Officer
Houston, TX  77060                                       (281) 423-3332
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News Release
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                               EXHIBIT 99.1

                        NL REPORTS FIRST QUARTER RESULTS

HOUSTON, TEXAS - April 30, 2003 -- NL Industries,  Inc. (NYSE:NL) today reported
net income for the first quarter of 2003 of $.20 per diluted share compared with
$.13 per diluted share in the first quarter of 2002. Excluding the effect of the
items summarized in the  accompanying  table, net income in the first quarter of
2003 was $.17 per diluted  share  compared  with $.11 per  diluted  share in the
first quarter of 2002.

The Company's  titanium dioxide pigments ("TiO2")  operating income in the first
quarter  of 2003 was $34.3  million  compared  with  $22.2  million in the first
quarter of 2002.  The 55%  increase in  operating  income was  primarily  due to
higher average selling prices and higher sales and production volumes, partially
offset by higher operating costs,  particularly energy costs.  Compared with the
fourth quarter of 2002,  operating income in the first quarter of 2003 increased
$14.2 million,  or 71%,  primarily due to higher sales and  production  volumes,
higher average selling prices and lower operating costs.

The Company's  average selling price in billing  currencies  (which excludes the
effects of foreign currency translation) during the first quarter of 2003 was 6%
higher than the first quarter of 2002 and was 1% higher than the fourth  quarter
of 2002.  Compared with the fourth  quarter of 2002,  selling  prices in billing
currencies  increased in all major markets. The average selling price in billing
currencies  in March 2003 was  comparable  to the average  selling price for the
first quarter.

The Company's first quarter 2003 average selling price expressed in U.S. dollars
(computed using actual foreign  currency  exchange rates  prevailing  during the
respective  periods)  was 18% higher  than the first  quarter of 2002 and was 6%
higher than the fourth quarter of 2002. The average  selling price  expressed in
U.S.  dollars in March 2003 was comparable to the average  selling price for the
first quarter.

The Company's  first quarter 2003 sales volume of 118,400  metric tons increased
5% from the first quarter of 2002 and  increased 16% from the fourth  quarter of
2002.  Compared to the fourth  quarter of 2002,  sales  volume  increased in all
major markets.  Finished goods inventory  levels at the end of the first quarter
decreased  2% from  December  2002  levels and  represented  under two months of
sales.

The Company's  first quarter 2003  production  volume of 117,200 metric tons was
11%  higher  than the first  quarter  of 2002 and  increased  9% from the fourth
quarter of 2002 with operating  rates near full capacity in the first quarter of
2003  compared  with 96% of  capacity  in the first  quarter of 2002.  Increased
production volume in the first quarter of 2003 compared with fourth quarter 2002
was primarily due to maintenance stops in the fourth quarter.

Lawrence A. Wigdor, Executive Vice President, stated, "Operating profits for the
first  quarter  of 2003  exceeded  our  expectations  driven  by  stronger  than
anticipated sales volume. Sales volume was a first quarter Company record, while
production volume was an all-time quarterly Company record. Our  debottlenecking
efforts  have  proven  successful  and we  currently  have  annual  capacity  of
approximately  470,000  metric tons.  We currently  expect TiO2 sales volume for

                                   Page 1 of 6
<PAGE>
full year 2003 to  increase  slightly  over full year 2002  levels,  with higher
average selling prices in 2003 compared to 2002.  Operating income is forecasted
to be above 2002 levels  reflecting the  improvement in pricing and volumes.  We
remain cautious about the outlook for the second half of 2003 as there remains a
high degree of uncertainty concerning worldwide economic conditions."

Securities  earnings  for the first  quarter  of 2003  included  a $2.3  million
noncash  securities  transaction  gain related to the exchange of the  Company's
holdings of Tremont  Corporation  common stock for shares of Valhi,  Inc. common
stock as a result of a series of merger transactions Valhi completed in February
2003.  In addition,  interest  income was lower in the first  quarter of 2003 as
compared with first quarter 2002 due to lower levels of available funds invested
and lower average yields.

Corporate  income  for  the  first  quarter  of  2002  included  a $1.9  million
litigation settlement gain with former insurance carrier groups.

Corporate  expense for the first quarter of 2003 was $15.3 million,  an increase
of $5.2 million  compared with the first quarter of 2002 primarily due to higher
environmental  expenses related to remediation of formerly owned business units.
Compared to the fourth quarter of 2002,  corporate  expense in the first quarter
of 2003 increased $5.6 million  primarily due to higher  environmental  expenses
partially offset by lower legal and stock option compensation expenses.

Interest  expense in the first quarter of 2003 was $8.0 million,  an increase of
$1.5 million from the first  quarter of 2002  primarily  due to higher levels of
outstanding  debt and associated  currency  effects,  partially  offset by lower
interest rates.

The  Company's net debt at March 31, 2003 was $237.1  million,  up $41.6 million
from  December  31, 2002.  The increase in net debt during the first  quarter of
2003 primarily related to seasonal negative free cash flow (defined as cash used
by operating  activities of $13.7 million and cash used by investing  activities
of $4.4  million) of $18.1  million,  currency  effect on  outstanding  non-U.S.
dollar  indebtedness of approximately  $8.6 million and payment of the quarterly
dividend of $9.5 million. Net debt at March 31, 2003 was comprised of total debt
of $350.2 million less cash, current and noncurrent  restricted cash and current
and noncurrent restricted marketable debt securities of $113.1 million.

In an effort to provide  investors  with  additional  information  regarding the
Company's results as determined by accounting  principles  generally accepted in
the  United  States of America  ("GAAP"),  the  Company  has  disclosed  certain
non-GAAP  information which the Company believes may provide useful  information
to investors:

   o   The Company  discloses  percentage  changes in its average  TiO2  selling
       prices in  billing  currencies  (which  excludes  the  effects of foreign
       currency  translation),  so that such changes can be analyzed without the
       impact  of  changes  in  foreign   currency   exchange   rates,   thereby
       facilitating  period-to-period  comparisons.  Generally,  when  the  U.S.
       dollar  either  strengthens  or weakens  against  other  currencies,  the
       percentage change in average selling prices in billing currencies will be
       higher or lower,  respectively,  than such  percentage  changes  would be
       using actual exchange rates prevailing during the respective periods.

   o   The Company  discloses net debt  (defined  above) to aid in analyzing the
       Company's liquidity position.

   o   The  Company  discloses  EBITDA  (defined  as  operating   income,   plus
       depreciation, depletion and amortization expense, less corporate expense,
       plus litigation  settlement  gains, net, and plus other corporate income)
       as a  supplement  to the  Company's  operating  income and cash flow from
       operations  because  the  Company  believes  that EBITDA is a widely used
       performance measure and financial indicator of cash flows and the ability
       to service debt. EBITDA should not be considered as an alternative to, or
       more meaningful  than,  operating  income or net income  determined under
       GAAP as an  indicator of the  Company's  operating  performance,  or cash
       flows from operating, investing and financing activities determined under
       GAAP as a measure of  liquidity.  EBITDA is not  intended to depict funds
       available for  reinvestment or other  discretionary  uses, as the Company
       has significant debt requirements and other commitments. Investors should
       consider  certain factors in evaluating the Company's  EBITDA,  including
       interest expense, income taxes, noncash income and expense items, changes

                                   Page 2 of 6
<PAGE>
       in assets and  liabilities,  capital  expenditures,  investments in joint
       ventures  and other  items  included in GAAP cash flows as well as future
       debt repayment requirements and other commitments and contingencies.

A conference call regarding NL's earnings announcement and the Company's outlook
is scheduled for Wednesday,  April 30, 2003 at 12:00 p.m. (EDT). Mr. Martin will
host the call.  Participants  can  access  the call by  dialing  (888)  273-9886
(domestic)  and  (612)  332-0725  (international).  The  title of the call is NL
Earnings.  A taped replay of the call will be  available at 3:30 p.m.  (EDT) the
day of the call through 11:59 p.m.  (EDT) on  Wednesday,  May 7, 2003 by calling
(800) 475-6701  (domestic) and (320) 365-3844  (international).  The access code
for the replay is 682188.  The call will also be broadcast  live on the Internet
at  the  Corporate   Communications   Broadcast   Network  ("CCBN")  website  at
http://www.companyboardroom.com.  In order to listen to the call,  your computer
must have Windows Media Player or RealPlayer installed,  which can be downloaded
prior to the call from the CCBN  website.  An online  replay  will be  available
approximately one hour after the call.

NL  Industries,  Inc. is a major  international  producer  of  titanium  dioxide
pigments.

The  statements  in this release (and  statements  made in the  conference  call
referred  to  above)  relating  to  matters  that are not  historical  facts are
forward-looking  statements that represent  management's beliefs and assumptions
based on currently  available  information.  Forward-looking  statements  can be
identified by the use of words such as  "believes,"  "intends,"  "may,"  "will,"
"should,"  "could,"  "anticipates,"  "expects," or comparable  terminology or by
discussions  of  strategy or trends.  Although  the  Company  believes  that the
expectations  reflected in such  forward-looking  statements are reasonable,  it
cannot give any  assurances  that these  expectations  will prove to be correct.
Such statements by their nature involve risks and uncertainties,  including, but
not  limited  to, the  cyclicality  of the  titanium  dioxide  industry,  global
economic  and  political  conditions,  changes  in global  productive  capacity,
changes in customer  inventory  levels,  changes in product pricing,  changes in
product  costing,  changes  in  foreign  currency  exchange  rates,  competitive
technology positions,  operating interruptions  (including,  but not limited to,
labor disputes, leaks, fires, explosions,  unscheduled downtime,  transportation
interruptions, war and terrorist activities), the ultimate resolution of pending
or possible future lead pigment litigation and legislative  developments related
to  the  lead  paint  litigation,  the  outcome  of  other  litigation  and  tax
controversies,  and other  risks and  uncertainties  detailed  in the  Company's
Securities and Exchange  Commission  filings.  Should one or more of these risks
materialize (or the  consequences of such a development  worsen),  or should the
underlying  assumptions prove incorrect,  actual results could differ materially
from those  forecasted  or  expected.  The Company  disclaims  any  intention or
obligation to update publicly or revise such statements,  whether as a result of
new information, future events or otherwise.

                                   Page 3 of 6
<PAGE>


                               NL INDUSTRIES, INC.
                   CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
               (In millions, except per share and metric ton data)
                                   (Unaudited)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                             Three months ended
                                                                  March 31,
                                                             ------------------
                                                              2003       2002
                                                             -------    -------

<S>                                                          <C>        <C>
Revenues and other income (expense):
    Net sales ............................................   $ 253.0    $ 202.4
    Other income (expense), excluding corporate ..........       (.9)        .7
                                                             -------    -------
                                                               252.1      203.1

Cost of sales ............................................     188.4      156.3
Selling, general and administrative, excluding corporate .      29.4       24.6
                                                             -------    -------

        Operating income .................................      34.3       22.2

Corporate income (expense):
    Securities earnings ..................................       3.1        1.3
    Litigation settlement gains, net and other income ....        .4        2.9
    Expenses .............................................     (15.3)     (10.1)
    Interest expense .....................................      (8.0)      (6.5)
                                                             -------    -------

        Income before income taxes and minority interest .      14.5        9.8

Income tax expense .......................................       5.1        3.2
                                                             -------    -------

        Income before minority interest ..................       9.4        6.6

Minority interest ........................................      --           .2
                                                             -------    -------

        Net income .......................................   $   9.4    $   6.4
                                                             =======    =======

Basic and diluted net income per share ...................   $   .20    $   .13
                                                             =======    =======

Weighted average shares used in the
  calculation of net income per share:
    Basic shares .........................................      47.7       48.9
    Dilutive impact of stock options .....................      --         --
                                                             -------    -------
    Diluted shares .......................................      47.7       48.9
                                                             =======    =======

Metric tons in thousands:
    Sales volume .........................................     118.4      112.4
    Production volume ....................................     117.2      105.8

EBITDA ...................................................   $  29.0    $  22.8

</TABLE>

                                   Page 4 of 6
<PAGE>

Below is a reconciliation of net income to EBITDA (in millions):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                             Three months ended
                                                                  March 31,
                                                             -------------------
                                                              2003         2002
                                                              -----        -----
                                                                 (Unaudited)


<S>                                                           <C>          <C>
Net income ...........................................        $ 9.4        $ 6.4
Minority interest ....................................         --             .2
Income tax expense ...................................          5.1          3.2
Interest expense, net ................................          4.9          5.2
Depreciation, depletion and amortization .............          9.6          7.8
                                                              -----        -----

        EBITDA .......................................        $29.0        $22.8
                                                              =====        =====
</TABLE>


Below is a reconciliation of "Net cash (used) provided by operating activities"
to EBITDA (in millions):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                             Three months ended
                                                                  March 31,
                                                             ------------------
                                                               2003       2002
                                                               -----      -----
                                                                 (Unaudited)


<S>                                                            <C>        <C>
Net cash (used) provided by operating activities .........     $(13.7)    $12.8
Change in assets and liabilities .........................       29.2       2.4
Interest expense, net ....................................        6.8       5.5
Income tax expense .......................................        3.5       2.4
Other ....................................................        3.2       (.3)
                                                               ------     -----

        EBITDA ...........................................     $ 29.0     $22.8
                                                               ======     =====
</TABLE>


                                   Page 5 of 6


<PAGE>

                               NL INDUSTRIES, INC.

                   COMPONENTS OF DILUTED NET INCOME PER SHARE

                                   (Unaudited)



The Company believes the analysis presented in the following table may be useful
in obtaining an understanding of the  comparability of the Company's  results of
operations for the periods presented.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              Three months ended
                                                                   March 31,
                                                                --------------
                                                                2003      2002
                                                                ----      ----

<S>                                                             <C>       <C>
Noncash marketable equity securities gain (1) ..............    $.03      $--

Litigation settlement gains, net (2) .......................     --        .02

Reported net income per share excluding above items ........     .17       .11
                                                                ----      ----

                                                                $.20      $.13
                                                                ====      ====
</TABLE>



(1)     Noncash  marketable  equity  securities  transaction gain on exchange of
        certain investment securities held as available-for-sale.

(2)     Previously-reported litigation settlement reached with certain principal
        former insurance carrier groups.


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