Dennis G. Newkirk
                                                         (281) 423-3332

                                                             EXHIBIT 99.1






FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


                           NL RETURNS TO PROFITABILITY


HOUSTON,  TEXAS -- July 22, 1997 -- NL Industries,  Inc.  (NYSE:NL) reported net
income  for the  second  quarter  of 1997 of $2.3  million,  or $.04 per  share,
compared to net income in the second quarter of 1996 of $11.9  million,  or $.23
per share. NL reported a net loss in the first half of 1997 of $33.5 million, or
$.65 per  share,  compared  to net  income  in the  first  half of 1996 of $25.4
million,  or $.49 per share on comparable net sales.  The 1997 results include a
first-quarter  $30 million  noncash charge,  or $.59 per share,  related to NL's
adoption  of  the  AICPA's  Statement  of  Position  No.  96-1,   "Environmental
Remediation Liabilities."

Operating income of Kronos' titanium dioxide pigments  ("TiO2")  business in the
second  quarter of 1997 was $16.8  million,  $8.6  million  less than the second
quarter of 1996,  but up $8.1  million over the first  quarter of 1997.  Kronos'
average TiO2 selling  prices for the second  quarter of 1997 were 3% higher than
the first quarter of 1997 and 8% lower than the second quarter of 1996.  Selling
prices at the end of the second  quarter of 1997 were 1% higher than the average
for the quarter.  Kronos achieved record second quarter sales volumes reflecting
continued strong TiO2 demand. Kronos' second quarter and six month sales volumes
increased 9% and 14%,  respectively,  from the year-earlier periods, with higher
sales volumes worldwide.  Kronos' operating income in the second quarter of 1997
includes a $2.7 million gain related to the sale of surplus assets.  The Company
expects  further  increases in its TiO2 selling prices during the second half of
1997.

Rheox's operating income of $12.2 million in the second quarter of 1997 was $1.5
million  higher than the  year-earlier  period due to higher  sales  volumes and
selling  prices.  Rheox's  operating  income in the first  half of 1997 was $1.9
million higher than the 1996 period, excluding a first-quarter 1996 $2.7 million
gain related to the reduction of certain U.S. employee pension benefits.

Corporate expenses, net in the first half of 1997 includes the first-quarter $30
million noncash charge mentioned above.

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

The statements in this release relating to matters that are not historical facts
are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties,  including,
but not limited to, future global economic and political conditions, global TiO2
productive  capacity and the amount and timing of capacity changes,  competitive
products and prices, and other risks and uncertainties detailed in the Company's
Securities and Exchange Commission filings.

<PAGE>



                               NL INDUSTRIES, INC.
                 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

                      (In millions, except per share data)
                                   (Unaudited)


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                        Quarters ended   Six months ended
                                           June 30,          June 30,
                                         1996    1997      1996    1997
<S>                                       <C>      <C>     <C>      <C>
Net sales
  Kronos                                  $228.3   $214.4  $434.6   $418.8
  Rheox                                     34.9     38.4    69.0     73.5
                                          ------   ------  ------   ------

                                          $263.2   $252.8  $503.6   $492.3
                                          ======   ======  ======   ======

Operating income
  Kronos                                  $ 25.4   $ 16.8  $ 54.9   $ 25.5
  Rheox                                     10.7     12.2    23.1     22.3
                                          ------   ------  ------   ------

    Operating income                        36.1     29.0    78.0     47.8

General corporate income (expense):
  Expenses, net                             (.6)    (4.6)   (2.2)   (37.8)
  Interest expense                        (18.5)   (19.4)  (37.6)   (38.4)
                                         ------   ------  ------   ------

    Income before income taxes              17.0      5.0    36.2   (28.4)

Income tax expense                         (5.1)    (2.7)  (10.8)    (5.1)
                                         ------   ------  ------   ------

    Net income                            $ 11.9   $  2.3  $ 25.4  $(33.5)
                                          ======   ======  ======  ======

Per share of common stock                 $  .23   $  .04  $  .49  $ (.65)
                                          ======   ======  ======  ======

Weighted average common shares
 outstanding                                51.5     51.1    51.5     51.1
                                          ======   ======  ======   ======
</TABLE>