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

[LOGO GOES HERE]
                        NL REPORTS THIRD QUARTER RESULTS

DALLAS, TEXAS - November 6, 2006 - NL Industries,  Inc. (NYSE:NL) today reported
income from continuing operations of $3.1 million, or $.06 per diluted share, in
the third  quarter  of 2006  compared  to income  of $2.8  million,  or $.06 per
diluted share,  in the third quarter of 2005. For the first nine months of 2006,
NL reported  income from  continuing  operations of $12.7  million,  or $.26 per
diluted share,  compared to income of $27.5 million,  or $.57 per diluted share,
in the first nine months of 2005.

Component products sales increased in the third quarter and first nine months of
2006 as  compared  to the same  periods of 2005 due mainly to the net effects of
sales volumes  generated from the August 2005 and April 2006 acquisitions of two
marine components businesses, higher sales volume of security products customers
due to  improved  demand  and lower  sales  volumes  from  furniture  components
products  resulting from competition from lower-priced Asian  manufacturers.  In
addition,  component  products sales were favorably  impacted by fluctuations in
foreign currency exchange rates, which increased sales by approximately $265,000
in the quarter and $1.0 million in the first nine months of the year compared to
the same periods in 2005. Component products income from operations  comparisons
were  favorably  impacted  by an  improved  product  mix  due  to a  decline  in
lower-margin furniture component sales and an increase in sales of higher-margin
security and marine  component  products,  as well as the favorable  impact of a
continuous  focus on reducing  costs  across all  product  lines.  In  addition,
component products income from operations  comparisons were negatively  impacted
by fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates,  which decreased income from
operations  by  approximately  $226,000 in the  quarter and $1.2  million in the
year-to-date period.

Kronos' sales  increased  $39.5 million in the third quarter of 2006 compared to
the third quarter of 2005, and increased  $85.3 million in the first nine months
of 2006  compared to the same period in 2005.  Net sales  increased in the third
quarter of 2006  primarily  due to higher TiO2 sales  volumes and the  favorable
effect of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, which increased sales
by  approximately  $9 million,  partially  offset by lower  average TiO2 selling
prices.  For the  year-to-date  period,  net sales  increased due to higher TiO2
sales volumes,  partially  offset by the  unfavorable  effect of fluctuations in
foreign  currency  exchange rates,  which decreased sales by  approximately  $11
million.  Kronos'  average TiO2 selling  prices in the first nine months of 2006
approximated  those of the first  nine  months of 2005.  The table at the end of
this release shows how each of these items impacted the overall increase in TiO2
sales.

The increase in Kronos' TiO2 sales volumes in 2006 was attributable primarily to
higher sales volumes in the United States,  Europe and in export markets,  which
were  somewhat  offset  by lower  sales  volumes  in  Canada.  Operating  income
comparisons  were favorably  impacted by higher TiO2 production  volumes,  which
were 3% higher  in both the  third  quarter  and  first  nine  months of 2006 as
compared  to the  same  periods  in 2005.  Kronos'  TiO2  production  facilities
operated at near-full  capacity in all periods.  Both TiO2 sales and  production
volumes set records for Kronos in the first nine months of 2006.  Kronos' income
from  operations  comparison  was  negatively  impacted by higher  manufacturing
costs,  particularly  raw  materials and energy costs,  and by  fluctuations  in
foreign currency exchange rates,  which decreased Kronos' income from operations
by approximately $3 million for the quarter and $18 million for the year-to-date
period.

Kronos  recognized a $22.3 million  pre-tax charge in the second quarter of 2006
related to the early  redemption of its 8.875% Senior Secured Notes (NL's equity
interest,  net of tax benefit,  was $3.4 million, or $.07 per diluted share, net
of  tax  benefit).  In  April  2006  Kronos'  wholly-owned  subsidiary,   Kronos
International,  Inc.  ("KII") issued an aggregate  principal  amount of euro 400
million new 6.5% Senior Secured Notes due April 2013. KII used the proceeds from
the issuance of the 6.5% Senior Secured Notes to redeem all of its 8.875% Senior
Secured Notes in May 2006 at 104.437% of the aggregate  principal amount of euro
375 million.  In the second  quarter of 2005,  Kronos  recognized a $5.4 million
gain (NL's equity interest,  net of income taxes,  was $.8 million,  or $.02 per
diluted  share)  related  to the sale of its  passive  interest  in a  Norwegian
smelting operation.

In the first nine months of 2006,  Kronos  recognized an aggregate  $9.2 million
income tax benefit (NL's equity interest was $2.1 million after tax, or $.04 per
diluted  share)  related to the net effects of the  withdrawal of certain income
tax assessments  previously  made by the Belgian and Norwegian tax  authorities,
favorable  developments with respect to certain income tax issues in Belgium and
Germany,  the  unfavorable  resolution  of  certain  other  income tax issues in
Germany,  an  increase in Kronos'  income tax  contingency  reserve  principally
related to ongoing income tax audits in Germany and the enactment of a reduction
in the  Canadian  federal  income tax rate.  In the first  nine  months of 2005,
Kronos  recognized a net provision for income taxes of $5.0 million (NL's equity
interest was $1.2 million after tax, or $.02 per diluted  share)  related to the
effect of developments of certain of its non-U.S. income tax audits.

Securities transactions gains in 2005 relate principally to a $14.7 million gain
($8.0 million,  or $.17 per diluted  share,  net of income taxes) related to the
Company's  sale of  shares  of  Kronos  common  stock  in  market  transactions.
Insurance  recoveries  in the first nine  months of 2006 of $2.9  million  ($1.9
million or $.04 per diluted  share,  net of tax)  represent  NL's  recovery from
certain  former  insurance  carriers in settlement of claims  related to certain
environmental,  indemnity and past  litigation  defense costs.  NL had insurance
recoveries  in the first nine months of 2005 of $2.4  million  ($1.6  million or
$.03 per diluted share, net of tax).

Corporate  expenses  were  higher in the third  quarter and first nine months of
2006 as compared  to the same  periods of 2005 due to higher  environmental  and
legal expenses.

The Company's provision for income taxes in the third quarter of 2005 includes a
net $4.8 million  provision for income taxes ($.10 per diluted share) related to
the net  effects  of a  change  in  CompX's  permanent  reinvestment  conclusion
regarding certain of its non-U.S.  subsidiaries and favorable  developments with
respect to certain of the Company's income tax audits.

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.  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  substantial  risks and
uncertainties  that could  significantly  impact  expected  results,  and actual
future   results  could  differ   materially   from  those   described  in  such
forward-looking  statements.  While it is not  possible to identify all factors,
the Company  continues to face many risks and  uncertainties.  Among the factors
that could cause actual future results to differ materially include, but are not
limited to:

o    Future supply and demand for the Company's products,
o    The extent of the dependence of the Company's  businesses on certain market
     sectors,
o    The cyclicality of certain of the Company's businesses,
o    The  impact of certain  long-term  contracts  on  certain of the  Company's
     businesses,
o    Customer inventory levels,
o    Changes in raw material and other operating costs,
o    The possibility of labor disruptions,
o    General global economic and political conditions,
o    Competitive products and substitute products,
o    Possible  disruption of business or increases in the cost of doing business
     resulting from terrorist activities or global conflicts,
o    Customer and competitor strategies,
o    The impact of pricing and production decisions,
o    Competitive technology positions,
o    The introduction of trade barriers,
o    Fluctuations in currency exchange rates,
o    Operating interruptions,
o    The timing and amount of insurance recoveries,
o    The ability of the Company to renew or refinance credit facilities,
o    The extent to which the Company's subsidiaries were to become unable to pay
     dividends to the Company,
o    Uncertainties associated with new product development,
o    The ultimate  outcome of income tax audits,  tax settlement  initiatives or
     other tax matters,
o    The ultimate ability to utilize income tax attributes, the benefit of which
     has been recognized under the "more-likely-than-not" recognition criteria,
o    Environmental matters,
o    Government laws and regulations and possible changes therein,
o    The  ultimate  resolution  of pending  litigation,  and
o    Possible future litigation.

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  currently  forecasted  or
expected.  The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise
any  forward-looking  statement  whether as a result of changes in  information,
future events or otherwise.

In an effort to provide  investors  with  additional  information  regarding the
Company's results of operations 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  provides  useful
information to investors:

o        The Company discloses segment profit, which is used by the Company's
         management to assess the performance of its component products
         operations. The Company believes disclosure of segment profit provides
         useful information to investors because it allows investors to analyze
         the performance of the Company's operations in the same way that the
         Company's management assesses performance. The Company defines segment
         profit as income before income taxes, interest expense and certain
         general corporate items. Corporate items excluded from the
         determination of segment profit include corporate expense and interest
         income not attributable to the Company's operations.

NL Industries,  Inc. is engaged in the component  products  (security  products,
furniture  components and performance marine  components),  chemicals  (titanium
dioxide pigments) and other businesses.



<PAGE>


                               NL INDUSTRIES, INC.
                   CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
                    (In millions, except earnings per share)
                                   (Unaudited)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                  Three months ended         Nine months ended
                                                                     September 30,             September 30,
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------
                                                                   2005        2006          2005         2006
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------

<S>                                                             <C>         <C>            <C>          <C>
Net sales                                                       $     47.1  $     48.8     $   139.7    $   146.0
Cost of sales                                                         36.1        35.9         107.9        109.2
                                                                ----------  ----------     ---------    ---------

   Gross margin                                                       11.0        12.9          31.8         36.8

Selling, general and administrative expense                            6.0         6.7          18.0         19.8
Other operating income (expense):
   General corporate expenses, net                                    (4.0)       (7.7)        (13.9)       (18.3)
   Insurance recoveries                                                1.2          .1           2.4          2.9
   Other, net                                                          -            .1            .2          -
                                                               -----------  -----------  -----------    ---------

     Income (loss) from operations                                     2.2        (1.3)          2.5          1.6

General corporate items:
   Interest and dividend income from affiliates                         .7          .5           1.9          1.4
   Other interest income                                                .8          .9           2.5          2.7
   Securities transactions gains, net                                  (.1)         .1          14.6           .1
   Interest expense                                                    (.1)        (.1)          (.3)         (.1)
                                                               -----------  -----------  -----------    ---------

                                                                       3.5          .1          21.2          5.7
Equity in earnings of Kronos Worldwide, Inc.                           2.8         4.1          22.4         14.4
                                                               -----------  -----------  -----------    ---------

     Income from continuing operations before
        income taxes and minority interest                             6.3         4.2          43.6         20.1

Provision for income taxes                                             5.4          -           16.5          4.4
Minority interest in after-tax earnings (losses)                      (1.9)        1.1           (.4)         3.0
                                                               -----------  -----------  -----------    ---------

     Income from continuing operations                                 2.8         3.1          27.5         12.7

Discontinued operations, net                                             -           -           (.3)         (.2)
                                                               -----------  -----------  -----------    ---------

     Net income                                                $       2.8  $      3.1   $      27.2   $     12.5
                                                               ===========  ===========  ===========   ==========

   Basic and diluted net income per share                      $       .06  $      .06   $       .56   $      .26
                                                               ===========  ===========  ===========   ==========

Weighted-average shares used in the
  calculation of earnings per share:
   Basic shares                                                       48.6        48.6          48.5         48.6
   Dilutive impact of stock options                                      -         -              .1           -
                                                               -----------  -----------  -----------    ---------
   Diluted shares                                              $      48.6  $     48.6   $      48.6   $     48.6
                                                               ===========  ===========  ===========   ==========
</TABLE>


<PAGE>


                               NL INDUSTRIES, INC.
                       RECONCILIATION OF SEGMENT PROFIT TO
                             INCOME FROM OPERATIONS
                                   (Unaudited)


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 Three months ended        Nine months ended
                                                                    September 30,            September 30,
                                                              --------------------------------------------------
                                                              --------------------------------------------------
                                                                  2005         2006        2005        2006
                                                              --------------------------------------------------
                                                              --------------------------------------------------

<S>                                                            <C>           <C>          <C>         <C>
   Segment profit - component products                         $     4.8     $     6.2    $   13.6    $   16.8
   Insurance recoveries                                              1.2            .1         2.4         2.9
   Corporate expense                                                (4.0)         (7.7)      (13.9)      (18.3)
   Other, net                                                         .2            .1          .4          .2
                                                               ---------     ---------   ---------   ---------

       Income from operations                                  $     2.2     $    (1.3)  $     2.5   $     1.6
                                                               =========     =========   =========   =========
</TABLE>



                               NL INDUSTRIES, INC.
                          CHANGE IN KRONOS' TiO2 SALES
                                   (Unaudited)


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                  Three months ended           Nine months ended
                                                                     September 30,               September 30,
                                                                    2006 vs. 2005                2006 vs. 2005
                                                                   ----------------            ----------------
<S>                                                                          <C>                        <C>
Percentage change in sales:
    TiO2 product pricing                                                     (1)%                         -
    TiO2 sales volume                                                        11 %                        11 %
    TiO2 product mix                                                          1 %                         -
    Changes in foreign currency exchange rates                                3 %                        (1)%
                                                                            -----                       -----

          Total                                                              14 %                        10 %
                                                                            =====                       =====
</TABLE>