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 FOURTH QUARTER RESULTS

DALLAS,  TEXAS...March 30, 2005...NL  Industries,  Inc. (NYSE:NL) today reported
income from continuing operations of $7.8 million, or $.16 per diluted share, in
the fourth quarter of 2004 compared to $9.7 million,  or $.20 per diluted share,
in the fourth  quarter of 2003.  For the full year 2004,  the  Company  reported
income from continuing operations of $211.1 million, or $4.36 per diluted share,
compared to $67.3 million, or $1.41 per diluted share, for 2003.

The Company conducts its component products business through CompX International
Inc.  Component  products  sales of $46.6 million in the fourth  quarter of 2004
were $1.0  million,  or 2% higher  than the fourth  quarter  of 2003,  and sales
increased  $8.7  million,  or 5%,  to $182.6  million  for the full year 2004 as
compared to 2003,  due  primarily to increases  in certain  precision  slide and
ergonomic  products  surcharges and prices (primarily to recover the increase in
raw material steel prices  experienced during 2004). Sales comparisons were also
favorably  impacted by the  strengthening  of the Canadian dollar in relation to
the U.S. dollar.

Component  products  segment  profit  for the  fourth  quarter  of 2004 was $3.8
million  compared  to $2.3  million  in the fourth  quarter  of 2003.  Component
products  segment  profit for the full year 2004 was $16.3  million  compared to
$9.0  million for 2003.  Component  products  segment  profit  comparisons  were
favorably  impacted  by the  effect  of  certain  cost  improvement  initiatives
previously undertaken, partially offset by increases in the cost of steel.

Following  the  Company's  July  2004  dividend  in the form of shares of Kronos
Worldwide,  Inc.  common stock  distributed  to NL  stockholders,  the Company's
ownership of Kronos was reduced to less than 50%.  Consequently,  effective July
1, 2004, the Company ceased to consolidate Kronos' financial  position,  results
of  operations  and cash flows,  and the Company  commenced  accounting  for its
interest in Kronos by the equity method.  The Company continues to report Kronos
as a consolidated  subsidiary through June 30, 2004, including the consolidation
of Kronos' results of operations and cash flows for the first half of 2004.

Kronos'  sales of $283.5  million  in the  fourth  quarter  of 2004  were  $37.8
million,  or 15%,  higher than the fourth  quarter of 2003 due to the  favorable
effect of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, which increased sales
by approximately  $14 million,  and higher average TiO2 selling prices and sales
volumes. Kronos' sales increased $120.4 million, or 12%, to $1.1 billion for the
full year 2004 as  compared  to the full  year 2003 as the  favorable  effect of
fluctuations in foreign  currency  exchange rates,  which increased its sales by
approximately  $60 million,  and higher TiO2 sales  volumes more than offset the
impact of lower average TiO2 selling prices for the full year 2004.

Kronos' average selling prices in billing currencies (which excludes the effects
of fluctuations  in the value of the U.S.  dollar relative to other  currencies)
were 3% higher in the fourth  quarter of 2004 as compared to the fourth  quarter
of 2003, and were 2% lower for the full year. Expressed in U.S. dollars computed
using actual foreign currency  exchange rates  prevailing  during the respective
periods,  Kronos'  average  selling prices in the fourth quarter of 2004 were 8%
higher than the fourth quarter of 2003,  and 4% higher for the year.  Reflecting
the partial  implementation  of prior price  increases,  Kronos' average selling
prices  in  billing  currencies  in the  fourth  quarter  of 2004 were 2% higher
compared to the third quarter of 2004.

Kronos'  fourth  quarter  2004 TiO2 sales  volumes  increased 5% from the fourth
quarter of 2003,  as higher sales  volumes in Europe and North America more than
offset the effect of lower volumes in export markets. TiO2 sales volumes for the
full year 2004  increased 8% from the full year 2003.  Kronos'  TiO2  production
volumes  were 2%  higher  for the full  year 2004 as  compared  to 2003  (fourth
quarter 2004  production  volumes were  slightly  lower than the same quarter in
2003),  with  operating  rates at near full  capacity in all periods  presented.
Sales and  production  volumes in 2004 were both new  records for Kronos for the
third consecutive year.

Kronos' segment profit for the fourth quarter of 2004 was $23.5 million compared
with $32.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2003, and was $119.6 million for the
full year 2004  compared  with $137.4  million  for the full year 2003.  Segment
profit  comparisons  were  impacted by the net  effects of the higher  sales and
production  volumes,  changes in average  selling prices and higher raw material
and maintenance costs in 2004.  Segment profit comparisons were also impacted by
fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates,  which increased segment profit
by  approximately $6 million in 2004 as compared to 2003 (the effect of currency
exchange rate  fluctuations  was not significant for the quarter).  In addition,
segment  profit for the full year of 2004 includes  income in the second quarter
of $6.3 million  ($.04 per diluted share of NL, net of income taxes and minority
interest) related to Kronos' settlement of a contract dispute with a customer.

Interest and dividend  income from  affiliates  is higher for the full year 2004
compared to 2003 primarily due to the Company's  interest  income related to its
note  receivable  from Kronos  (issued in December  2003 and prepaid in November
2004).  Prior to July 1,  2004,  such  interest  income  was  eliminated  in the
Company's consolidated financial statements.  Securities transactions gains, net
in 2004 includes a fourth quarter $2.2 million gain ($1.4  million,  or $.03 per
diluted  share,  net of income taxes) related to the Company's sale of shares of
Kronos common stock in market transactions.  Securities  transactions gains, net
for 2003 includes the  previously  reported  first quarter $2.3 million  noncash
securities  transaction  gain ($1.5 million,  or $.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  common  stock as a result of a
series of merger transactions completed in February 2003.

The gain on disposal of fixed assets for the 2003 periods  relates  primarily to
the sale of certain real property of NL.  General  corporate  expenses,  net for
2004 decreased compared to 2003 primarily due to lower environmental remediation
and legal expenses.

Interest expense decreased  primarily due to the change in accounting for Kronos
to the equity method as of July 1, 2004. Prior to July 1, 2004, interest expense
related to Kronos' debt was  included in the  Company's  consolidated  financial
statements. CompX has a nominal amount of outstanding debt at December 31, 2004.

The  Company's  income tax benefit  for 2004  includes a second  quarter  $268.6
million tax benefit ($2.80 per diluted share, net of minority  interest) related
to the reversal of a deferred income tax asset valuation allowance  attributable
to Kronos'  income tax  attributes in Germany  (principally  net operating  loss
carryforwards).  The reversal of the German valuation allowance reflects Kronos'
revised  estimate  of its  ability to utilize  its  German  net  operating  loss
carryforwards  in  the  future  under  the  "more-likely-than-not"   recognition
criteria.  During the fourth quarter of 2004,  Kronos  determined that it should
have  recognized  an additional  $17.3  million net deferred  income tax benefit
during the second quarter of 2004, primarily related to the amount of the German
valuation  allowance which should have been reversed.  While this additional tax
benefit is not  material to the  Company's  second  quarter  2004  results,  the
quarterly  results of  operations  for 2004, as presented  herein,  reflect this
additional tax benefit. The effect to the Company of this additional tax benefit
was to increase income from continuing  operations in the second quarter of 2004
by $8.7  million,  comprised of the  additional  deferred  income tax benefit of
$17.3 million and an additional minority interest in earnings of $8.6 million.

The full year 2004 also includes a second  quarter tax benefit  attributable  to
the  Company's  recognition  of a $43.1  million  income tax  benefit  ($.89 per
diluted share) related to income tax  attributes of a certain  subsidiary.  This
income tax benefit  resulted from a settlement  agreement  reached with the U.S.
IRS  concerning  the  IRS'   previously   reported   examination  of  a  certain
restructuring  transaction  involving  this  subsidiary and includes (i) a $12.6
million tax benefit  related to a reduction in the amount of  additional  income
taxes and  interest  which the  Company  estimates  it will be  required  to pay
related to this matter as a result of the settlement  agreement and (ii) a $31.1
million  tax  benefit  related to the  reversal  of a deferred  income tax asset
valuation  allowance  related  to  certain  tax  attributes  of this  subsidiary
(including  a U.S.  net  operating  loss  carryforward)  which the  Company  now
believes meets the "more-likely-than-not" recognition criteria.

The Company  recognized  a $24.6  million  income tax benefit  ($.51 per diluted
share) in the second  quarter of 2003  related  to Kronos'  previously  reported
favorable German court ruling concerning its claim for refund suit.

In December  2004,  CompX's  board of  directors  committed  to a formal plan to
dispose of its Thomas Regout  operations in The  Netherlands.  Such  operations,
which  previously were included in the Company's  component  products  operating
segment, met all of the criteria under accounting  principles generally accepted
in the United  States of America  ("GAAP") to be classified as an asset held for
sale at December 31, 2004, and  accordingly  the results of operations of Thomas
Regout  have  been  classified  as  discontinued   operations  for  all  periods
presented.  In classifying the net assets of the Thomas Regout  operations as an
asset held for sale,  CompX concluded that the carrying amount of the net assets
of such operations  exceeded the estimated fair value less costs to sell of such
operations, and accordingly in the fourth quarter of 2004 the Company recognized
a $6.5 million  impairment  charge to  write-down  its  investment in the Thomas
Regout  operations to its estimated net realizable value. Such impairment charge
represented  an  impairment  of  goodwill.  CompX  completed  the  sale  of such
operations  in  January  2005 for an  amount  approximating  the  estimated  net
realizable value.

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 certain 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        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 ability of the Company to renew or refinance credit facilities,
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  forecast or expected.  The
Company   disclaims  any  intention  or  obligation  to  update  or  revise  any
forward-looking statement whether as a result of new information,  future events
or otherwise.

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 provides useful  information to
investors:

o        The  Company  discloses  percentage  changes  in Kronos'  average  TiO2
         selling  prices in billing  currencies,  which  excludes the effects of
         foreign currency  translation.  The Company believes disclosure of such
         percentage changes allows investors to analyze such changes without the
         impact  of  changes  in  foreign  currency   exchange  rates,   thereby
         facilitating   period-to-period  comparisons  of  relative  changes  in
         average  selling  prices  in the  actual  various  billing  currencies.
         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.

NL Industries, Inc. is engaged in the component products (precision ball bearing
slides,  security  products and ergonomic  computer support  systems),  titanium
dioxide pigments and other businesses.



<PAGE>


                               NL INDUSTRIES, INC.
                   CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
                     (In millions, except earning per share)
                                   (Unaudited)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                  Three months ended             Year ended
                                                                     December 31,               December 31,
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------
                                                                   2003        2004          2003         2004
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                             <C>          <C>           <C>         <C>
Net sales:
   Chemicals                                                    $    245.7   $      -      $ 1,008.2   $   559.1
   Component products                                                 45.6       46.6          173.9       182.6
                                                                ----------   --------      ---------   ---------

                                                                $    291.3   $   46.6      $ 1,182.1   $   741.7
                                                                ==========   ========      =========   =========

Segment profit:
   Chemicals                                                   $      32.2   $      -      $   137.4   $     66.4
   Component products                                                  2.3        3.8            9.0         16.3
                                                                ----------   --------      ---------   ----------
     Total segment profit                                             34.5        3.8          146.4         82.7

General corporate items:
   Interest and dividend income from affiliates                         .8        1.3            3.3         8.0
   Other interest income                                                .3         .4            1.4         1.3
   Securities transactions gains, net                                  -          2.1            2.4         2.1
   Gain on disposal of fixed assets                                    1.8        -             10.4         -
   Legal settlement gains, net                                          .2        -               .8          .6
   General corporate expenses, net                                    (9.2)      (2.1)         (57.4)      (17.1)
   Noncompete agreement income                                         -          -               .3         -
   Other income                                                        -           .2             .1          .3

   Interest expense                                                   (8.7)       (.1)         (34.3)     (18.3)
                                                                ----------   --------      ---------   --------

                                                                      19.7        5.6           73.4        59.6
Equity in earnings of Kronos Worldwide, Inc.                           -          4.6           -            9.6
                                                                ----------   ---------     ---------   ---------

     Income from continuing operations before
      income taxes and minority interest                              19.7       10.2           73.4        69.2

Income tax expense (benefit)                                           7.7        1.8            2.2      (291.5)
Minority interest in after-tax earnings                                2.3         .6            3.9       149.6
                                                                ----------   ---------     ---------   ---------
     Income from continuing operations                                 9.7        7.8           67.3       211.1


Discontinued operations                                                (.3)      (1.1)          (2.8)        (.7)
                                                               -----------   --------      ---------   ---------

     Net income                                                $       9.4   $    6.7      $    64.5   $   210.4
                                                               ===========   ========      =========   =========
</TABLE>



<PAGE>


                               NL INDUSTRIES, INC.
             CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (CONTINUED)
                     (In millions, except earning per share)
                                   (Unaudited)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                  Three months ended             Year ended
                                                                     December 31,               December 31,
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------
                                                                   2003        2004          2003         2004
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                            <C>         <C>           <C>         <C>
Basic and diluted earnings per share:
   Continuing operations                                       $      .20  $      .16    $    1.41   $    4.36
   Discontinued operations                                           (.01)       (.02)        (.06)       (.01)
                                                               ----------  ----------    ---------   ---------

     Net income                                                $      .19  $      .14    $    1.35   $    4.35
                                                               ==========  ==========    =========   =========

Weighted-average shares used in the
  calculation of earnings per share:
   Basic shares                                                       47.8       48.4         47.7        48.3
   Dilutive impact of stock options                                     .1         .1           .1          .1
                                                               ----------- -------------  --------   ---------

   Diluted shares                                                     47.9        48.5        47.8        48.4
                                                               =========== ===========   =========   =========
</TABLE>



<PAGE>


                               NL INDUSTRIES, INC.
                     RECONCILIATION OF PERCENTAGE CHANGE IN
                       KRONOS' AVERAGE TiO2 SELLING PRICES
                                   (Unaudited)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                  Three months ended               Year ended
                                                                     December 31,                 December 31,
                                                                    2004 vs. 2003                 2004 vs. 2003
                                                                  -----------------            -------------------


<S>                                                                     <C>                         <C>
Percentage change in average selling prices:
    Using actual foreign currency exchange rates                             +8%                         +4%
    Impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates                     -5%                         -6%
                                                                        --------                    --------
    In billing currencies                                                    +3%                         -2%
                                                                         =======                    ========
</TABLE>