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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:                              CONTACT:

Valhi, Inc.                                         Bobby D. O'Brien
Three Lincoln Centre                                Vice President
5430 LBJ Freeway                                    (972) 233-1700
Suite, 1700
Dallas, Texas  75240-2697



                      VALHI REPORTS SECOND QUARTER RESULTS


     DALLAS,  TEXAS . . August 5, 2005.  Valhi, Inc. (NYSE: VHI) reported income
from continuing  operations of $34.1 million,  or $.28 per diluted share, in the
second  quarter  of 2005  compared  to income of  $278.6  million,  or $2.32 per
diluted share,  in the second quarter of 2004. For the first six months of 2005,
Valhi reported income from continuing  operations of $64.4 million,  or $.53 per
diluted share, compared to income of $282.2 million, or $2.35 per diluted share,
in the first six months of 2004. The Company's  results in 2004 include  certain
significant income tax benefits, as discussed below.

     Chemicals  sales  increased  $16.0  million in the  second  quarter of 2005
compared to the second quarter of 2004, and increased $44.6 million in the first
six months of 2005,  due to net effects of higher  average TiO2 selling  prices,
lower TiO2 sales  volumes as well as the  favorable  effect of  fluctuations  in
foreign   currency   exchange  rates,   which   increased   chemicals  sales  by
approximately  $10 million  and $21 million in the second  quarter and first six
month periods,  respectively.  Excluding the effect of fluctuations in the value
of the U.S.  dollar relative to other  currencies,  Kronos' average TiO2 selling
prices in billing  currencies  in the second  quarter of 2005 were 11% higher as
compared  to the second  quarter of 2004,  and were 10% higher for the first six
months of the year.  When  translated  from billing  currencies to U.S.  dollars
using actual foreign currency  exchange rates  prevailing  during the respective
periods, Kronos' average TiO2 selling prices in the second quarter and first six
months of 2005 increased 15% and 14%, respectively, compared to the same periods
of  2004.   Reflecting   the   continued   implementation   of  price   increase
announcements,  Kronos'  average  selling  prices in billing  currencies  in the
second quarter of 2005 were 2% higher compared to the first quarter of 2005.

     Kronos'  TiO2 sales  volumes in the second  quarter of 2005  decreased  10%
compared to the second quarter of 2004, with volumes lower in all regions of the
world,  and decreased 7% in the first six months of 2005 as compared to the same
period of 2004.  Kronos' operating income comparisons were favorably impacted by
higher production  levels,  which increased 4% in each of the second quarter and
first six  months  of 2005 as  compared  to the same  periods  in 2004.  Kronos'
operating rates were near full capacity in all periods,  and Kronos'  production
volumes in the first six months of 2005 were a new record for Kronos for a first
six-month  period.  Fluctuations  in foreign  currency  exchange rates favorably
impacted chemicals  operating income comparisons by approximately $2 million and
$3 million for the quarter and  year-to-date  periods,  respectively.  Chemicals
operating  income in the second  quarter of 2004 includes $6.3 million of income
($3.5  million,  or $.03 per diluted  share,  net of income  taxes and  minority
interest) related to Kronos' settlement of a contract dispute with a customer.

     Component  product  sales and  operating  income  were  lower in the second
quarter of 2005 as compared to the second  quarter of 2004 due  primarily to the
net effect of lower sales volumes  partially offset by higher selling prices for
certain products. Component product sales and operating income were higher in






the  first  six  months of 2005 as  compared  to the same  period in 2004 as the
effect of higher selling prices for certain products more than offset the impact
of lower sales volumes for certain  products.  Waste management sales increased,
and its operating loss  declined,  in the second quarter and first six months of
2005 as compared to the same periods of 2004 due to higher  utilization of waste
management services, offset in part by higher operating costs.

     Effective  January 1, 2005,  TIMET  changed  its method of  accounting  for
approximately 40% of its inventories from the last-in, first-out ("LIFO") method
to the specific identification cost method,  representing all of its inventories
previously  accounted for under the LIFO method.  In accordance  with accounting
principles  generally  accepted in the United  States of America  ("GAAP"),  the
Company has  retroactively  restated its  consolidated  financial  statements to
reflect its results of operations as if TIMET had accounted for such inventories
under the new method  for all  periods  presented.  As a result,  the  Company's
income from continuing  operations in the second quarter and first six months of
2004 is $357,000 and $565,000, respectively, higher than previously reported.

     TIMET's sales  increased  from $124.1 million in the second quarter of 2004
to $183.7 million in the second quarter of 2005,  and TIMET's  operating  income
increased  from $8.5  million  to $36.9  million.  The  improvement  in  TIMET's
operating  results in 2005 was due in part to a 30% increase in average  selling
prices for melted  products  (ingot and slab),  a 27%  increase in mill  product
average  selling  prices,  a 15% increase in mill product sales volumes and a 1%
increase in melted product sales volumes.  TIMET's operating results comparisons
were also favorably  impacted by improved plant operating rates, which increased
from 72% in the second  quarter of 2004 to 80% in the second quarter of 2005. In
addition,  TIMET's  operating  results  comparisons were negatively  impacted by
higher  costs for raw  materials  and  accruals  for  certain  performance-based
employee  incentive  compensation  payments.  TIMET's  results  in the first six
months of 2005  include a second  quarter  pre-tax gain of $13.9  million  ($2.6
million, or $.02 per diluted share, net of income taxes and minority interest to
Valhi) related to the sale of certain real property adjacent to TIMET's facility
in Nevada.  TIMET's results in the first six months of 2005 also include a $35.6
million  income tax benefit ($9.5  million,  or $.08 per diluted  share,  net of
minority  interest to Valhi)  related to reversal  of the  valuation  allowances
attributable to TIMET's deferred income tax assets in the U.S. and U.K.

     General  corporate  interest and  dividend  income was higher in the second
quarter and first six months of 2005 as compared to the same periods of 2004 due
primarily to a higher level of funds  available for  investment.  Net securities
transactions  gains in 2005  relate  principally  to (i) NL's  sale of shares of
Kronos  common stock in market  transactions  of $14.7  million in the first six
months of 2005 ($6.6  million,  net of income taxes and minority  interest)  and
(ii) a second  quarter  $5.4  million  gain ($3.1  million,  or $.03 per diluted
share, net of income taxes and minority interest) related to Kronos' sale of its
passive interest in a Norwegian smelting operation.  Insurance recoveries in the
second quarter of 2005 relate primarily to NL's recovery from certain  insolvent
former insurance  carriers  relating to settlement of excess insurance  coverage
claims.  Interest expense was higher due primarily to higher  outstanding levels
of debt at Kronos.

     As  previously  reported,  the  Company's  income tax benefit in the second
quarter  of 2004  includes  (i) a $268.6  million  income  tax  benefit  ($230.2
million,  or $1.91 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)  and (ii) a $43.7 million income tax benefit ($36.4  million,  or
$.30 per  diluted  share,  net of  minority  interest)  related  to  income  tax
attributes of a subsidiary of NL.







     As  previously  reported,  in January 2005 CompX  completed the sale of its
Thomas Regout  operations in The  Netherlands,  and  accordingly  the results of
operations of Thomas Regout  (which  reported a nominal  amount of net income in
the second quarter and first six months of 2004) are classified as  discontinued
operations  for all periods  presented.  Discontinued  operations in 2005 relate
primarily  to  additional  expenses  associated  with the disposal of the Thomas
Regout operations.

     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  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 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 the 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.

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

                                   * * * * *







                          VALHI, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                              SUMMARY OF OPERATIONS

                                   (Unaudited)

                    (In millions, except earnings per share)




                                                            Three months ended              Six months ended
                                                                 June 30,                       June 30,
                                                            ------------------              ------------
                                                          2004            2005            2004           2005
                                                          ----            ----            ----           ----
 Net sales
                                                                                            
   Chemicals                                             $ 295.7        $311.7          $ 559.0         $603.6
   Component products                                       46.2          45.8             89.8           92.6
   Waste management                                          1.4           2.0              2.2            4.5
                                                         -------        ------          -------         ------

                                                         $ 343.3        $359.5          $ 651.0         $700.7
                                                         =======        ======          =======         ======

 Operating income
   Chemicals                                             $  36.2        $ 55.1          $  58.4         $ 98.7
   Component products                                        5.1           4.8              7.6            8.9
   Waste management                                         (3.6)         (3.5)            (6.8)          (6.3)
                                                         -------        ------          -------         ------

     Total operating income                                 37.7          56.4             59.2          101.3

 Equity in:
   TIMET                                                     2.7          15.8              3.4           32.6
   Other                                                     -             (.3)              .1            (.2)

 General corporate items, net
   Interest and dividend income                              8.4           9.3             16.9           19.5
   Securities transaction gains, net                         -             5.6              -             20.2
   Insurance recoveries                                       .5           1.2               .5            1.2
   Gain on disposal of fixed assets                           .6           -                 .6            -
   Expenses, net                                            (6.5)         (7.7)           (15.5)         (15.9)
 Interest expense                                          (15.1)        (17.8)           (30.7)         (35.7)
                                                         -------        ------          -------         ------

     Income before income taxes                             28.3          62.5             34.5          123.0

 Provision for income taxes (benefit)                     (300.5)         23.6           (299.7)          48.6

 Minority interest in after-tax earnings                    50.2           4.8             52.0           10.0
                                                         -------        ------          -------         ------

     Income from continuing operations                     278.6          34.1            282.2           64.4

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

     Net income                                          $ 278.8        $ 34.1          $ 282.4         $ 64.1
                                                         =======        ======          =======         ======

 Basic and diluted earnings per share
   Income from continuing operations                     $  2.32        $  .28          $  2.35         $  .53
   Discontinued operations                                   -             -                -              -
                                                         -------        ------          -------         ----

     Net income                                          $  2.32        $  .28          $  2.35         $  .53
                                                         =======        ======          =======         ======

 Shares used in calculation of per share amounts
   Basic earnings                                          120.2         118.0            120.2          119.1
                                                         =======        ======          =======         ======

   Diluted earnings                                        120.3         118.4            120.4          119.5
                                                         =======        ======          =======         ======









                          VALHI, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                     RECONCILIATION OF PERCENTAGE CHANGE IN
                       KRONOS' AVERAGE TIO2 SELLING PRICES

                                   (Unaudited)



                                                              Three months ended           Six months ended
                                                                   June 30,                    June 30,
                                                                2005 vs. 2004                2005 vs. 2004
                                                              -----------------            ---------------

Percentage change in average selling prices:
                                                                                          
  Using actual foreign currency exchange rates                     +15%                        +14%

  Impact of changes in foreign currency
   exchange rates                                                   -4%                         -4%
                                                                   ----                        ----

    In billing currencies                                          +11%                        +10%
                                                                   ====                        ====