[LOGO GOES HERE]


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                  PRESS RELEASE

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:                                   CONTACT:

VALHI, INC.                                              Steven L. Watson
Three Lincoln Centre                                     President
5430 LBJ Freeway, Suite 1700                             (972) 233-1700
Dallas, Texas 75240-2697



                        VALHI DECLARES QUARTERLY DIVIDEND



     DALLAS,  TEXAS . . .  February  10,  2000 . . .  Valhi,  Inc.  (NYSE:  VHI)
announced  today that its board of directors  has  declared a regular  quarterly
dividend of five cents ($0.05) per share on its common  stock,  payable on March
31, 2000 to stockholders of record at the close of business on March 22, 2000.

     Valhi, Inc. is engaged in the titanium dioxide pigments, component products
(ergonomic  computer support systems,  precision ball bearing slides and locking
systems), titanium metals products and waste management industries.

                                    * * * * *