NL Industries, Inc.                            Contact:  Gregory M. Swalwell
Three Lincoln Center                                     Vice President, Finance
5430 LBJ Freeway, Suite 1700                             (972) 233-1700
Dallas, TX  75240-2697
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News Release
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                               EXHIBIT 99.1

       NL REPORTS SECOND QUARTER RESULTS AND ANNOUNCES CORPORATE OFFICE
                     CONSOLIDATION AND MANAGEMENT CHANGES

DALLAS,  TEXAS - July 25, 2003 -- NL Industries,  Inc.  (NYSE:NL) today reported
net income for the second  quarter of 2003 of $.60 per  diluted  share  compared
with $.29 per diluted  share in the second  quarter of 2002.  Net income for the
first half of 2003 was $.80 per diluted  share  compared  with net income in the
first half of 2002 of $.42 per diluted share.

The Company's  titanium dioxide pigments ("TiO2") operating income in the second
quarter of 2003 was $35.5  million  compared  with  $24.7  million in the second
quarter of 2002.  The 44%  increase in  operating  income was  primarily  due to
higher average selling prices and higher production volume,  partially offset by
higher  operating  costs,  particularly  energy  costs.  Compared with the first
quarter of 2003,  operating  income in the second quarter of 2003 increased $1.2
million, or 3%.

Operating  income  in the  first  half of 2003  increased  49% to $69.8  million
compared with $46.8 million in the first half of 2002 primarily due to 6% higher
average  selling  prices in billing  currencies  (which  excludes the effects of
foreign currency  translation),  2% higher sales volume and 8% higher production
volume, partially offset by higher operating costs, particularly energy costs.

The  Company's  average  selling price in billing  currencies  during the second
quarter of 2003 was 7% higher than the second  quarter of 2002 with the greatest
improvement being realized in the European and export markets. Compared with the
first quarter of 2003 the average selling price in billing  currencies was flat.
The average  selling price in billing  currencies in June 2003 was comparable to
the average selling price in billing currencies for the second quarter.

The  Company's  second  quarter 2003  average  selling  price  expressed in U.S.
dollars (computed using actual foreign currency exchange rates prevailing during
the  respective  periods) was 19% higher than the second quarter of 2002 and was
2% higher than the first quarter of 2003. The average selling price expressed in
U.S.  dollars in June 2003 was 3% higher than the average  selling price for the
second quarter.  The average selling price expressed in U.S.  dollars  increased
18% in the first half of 2003 compared with the first half of 2002.

The Company's  second quarter 2003 sales volume of 121,000 metric tons decreased
1% from the  record  second  quarter  of 2002 and  increased  2% from the  first
quarter of 2003.  Sales  volume in the first  half of 2003 was a Company  record
239,500 metric tons.

The  Company's  second  quarter 2003  production  volume of 119,500  metric tons
represented  an  all-time  quarterly  Company  record and was 6% higher than the
second  quarter  of 2002 and 2%  higher  than the  first  quarter  of 2003  with
operating  rates at near full  capacity  in all  periods  presented.  Production
volume in the first half of 2003 was  236,700  metric  tons and  represented  an
all-time first half record.  Finished goods  inventory  levels at the end of the
second  quarter  decreased 2% from March 2003 levels and  represented  under two
months of sales.

                                  Page 1 of 4

<PAGE>

Securities  earnings in the second  quarter of 2003 were slightly lower than the
second  quarter  of 2002.  Securities  earnings  for the first half of 2003 were
higher  than the first  half of 2002  primarily  due to a $2.3  million  noncash
securities  transaction  gain  ($.03 per  diluted  share,  net of income  taxes)

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 completed in February 2003.

As  previously  reported,  other  corporate  income  for the first  half of 2002
included a $1.9 million litigation  settlement gain ($.03 per diluted share, net
of income taxes) with former  insurance  carrier  groups and $2.0 million in fee
income related to a covenant not to compete agreement involving a formerly owned
business unit which became fully amortized in January 2003.

As  previously  reported,  the Company  recognized a one-time  foreign  currency
transaction  gain of $6.3 million ($.13 per diluted share,  net of income taxes)
in the  second  quarter  of  2002  related  to  the  extinguishment  of  certain
intercompany indebtedness.

Corporate  expense for the second quarter and first half of 2003 increased $15.6
million  and $20.9  million,  respectively,  from the  comparable  2002  periods
primarily due to higher environmental  remediation expense accruals (principally
related to one formerly owned site for which the remediation process is expected
to occur over the next several years) and higher legal expenses. Compared to the
first quarter of 2003, corporate expense in the second quarter of 2003 increased
$7.8 million primarily due to higher environmental expenses.

The Company recognized a $24.6 million cash income tax benefit ($.51 per diluted
share)  in the  second  quarter  of  2003  related  to the  previously  reported
favorable  German court ruling  concerning the Company's  claim for refund suit.
Based on amended  German tax returns filed by the Company in the second  quarter
of 2003, the German tax authorities  refunded to the Company  (euro)21.5 million
($24.6  million at June 30,  2003  exchange  rates) in early  July.  The Company
currently  expects to receive  approximately  $15 million of  additional  German
income  tax  refunds  over the next six to nine  months,  a portion of which may
result in additional income tax benefit.

Interest  expense in the second  quarter  and first half of 2003  increased  $.3
million  and $1.8  million,  respectively,  from  the  comparable  2002  periods
primarily  due to higher  levels of  outstanding  debt and  associated  currency
effects,  partially  offset by lower  interest  rates.  As previously  reported,
interest  expense in the second  quarter of 2002 included $2.0 million ($.03 per
diluted share, net of income tax benefit) related to the early extinguishment of
the Company's 11.75% Senior Secured Notes.

The Company's net debt at June 30, 2003 was $267.7  million and was comprised of
total debt of $361.2 million less cash,  current and noncurrent  restricted cash
and  current and  noncurrent  restricted  marketable  debt  securities  of $93.5
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.


                                  Page 2 of 4
<PAGE>

The  Company  also   announced   today  plans  to  close  its   Houston,   Texas
administrative  office and consolidate its corporate  headquarters in Dallas. In
2002,  the Company  closed its  administrative  finance office in New York City.
Harold C.  Simmons,  Chairman and CEO of NL,  stated "the  consolidation  of the
corporate  headquarters  at a  single  location  is  expected  to  result  in an
administrative  office that is both cost effective and responsive to the current
and future needs of the Company."

A realignment and augmentation of the Company's corporate  management will occur
during the corporate office  consolidation  process. In this regard,  Gregory M.
Swalwell has been appointed Vice President,  Finance,  Robert D. Graham has been
appointed Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary and Kelly D. Luttmer has
been appointed Tax Director.  Robert D. Hardy will step down as Chief  Financial
Officer upon completion of the Company's second quarter financial  reports.  Mr.
Hardy intends to remain in the Houston  area,  but will continue as a consultant
to the Company during the transition period.

The  operations of Kronos,  Inc.,  which  conducts the Company's  TiO2 business,
should not be affected by the  consolidation and realignment of the NL corporate
office  management  and  administrative  functions.  Dr.  Lawrence A. Wigdor has
retired  from his  positions  as  President,  CEO and  Director  of  Kronos  and
Executive Vice President of NL, but will continue as a consultant to the Company
with ongoing management  involvement in the TiO2 operations conducted by Kronos.
Mr. Simmons  stated,  "Dr.  Wigdor has been a strong  contributor to our success
since  joining the Company in 1990. We are very pleased that he will continue to
help manage our TiO2 business."

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

The statements in this release 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  pigment  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 4
<PAGE>



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


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                     Three months ended     Six months ended
                                                          June 30,              June 30,
                                                    --------------------  --------------------
                                                       2003       2002       2003       2002
                                                    ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------

<S>                                                 <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
Revenues and other income (expense), net:
    Net sales ...................................   $   266.6  $   226.9  $   519.6  $   429.3
    Other income (expense), net, excluding
      corporate .................................        (2.5)      (1.1)      (3.4)       (.3)
                                                    ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
                                                        264.1      225.8      516.2      429.0

Cost of sales ...................................       197.6      176.2      386.1      332.5
Selling, general and administrative, excluding
  corporate .....................................        31.0       24.9       60.3       49.7
                                                    ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
        Operating income ........................        35.5       24.7       69.8       46.8

Corporate income (expense):
    Securities earnings .........................         1.0        1.3        4.3        2.6
    Other income and litigation settlement gains,
      net .......................................         1.8        1.4        2.2        4.4
    Currency transaction gains ..................      --            6.3     --            6.3
    Expenses ....................................       (23.1)      (7.5)     (38.6)     (17.7)
    Interest expense ............................        (8.4)      (8.1)     (16.4)     (14.6)
                                                    ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
        Income before income taxes and minority
          interest ..............................         6.8       18.1       21.3       27.8

Income tax benefit (expense) ....................        22.1       (3.9)      17.2       (7.0)
                                                    ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
        Income before minority interest .........        28.9       14.2       38.5       20.8

Minority interest ...............................          .1         .2         .2         .4
                                                    ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------

        Net income ..............................   $    28.8  $    14.0  $    38.3  $    20.4
                                                    =========  =========  =========  =========

Basic and diluted net income per share ..........   $     .60  $     .29  $     .80  $     .42
                                                    =========  =========  =========  =========
Weighted average shares used in the
  calculation of earnings per share:
    Basic shares ................................        47.7       48.8       47.7       48.8
    Dilutive impact of stock options ............          .1         .2     --             .1
                                                    ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
    Diluted shares ..............................        47.8       49.0       47.7       48.9
                                                    =========  =========  =========  =========
Other Data:
 Metric tons in thousands:
    Sales volume ................................       121.0      122.6      239.5      235.0
    Production volume ...........................       119.5      113.0      236.7      218.9


 Depreciation ...................................   $    10.0  $     8.0  $    19.7  $    15.8

 Capital expenditures ...........................   $     7.3  $     6.6  $    13.9  $    12.1

</TABLE>

                                  Page 4 of 4