Susan E. Alderton
                                                        Chief Financial Officer
                                                                 (281) 423-3332


                                                                   EXHIBIT 99.1








FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


              NL INDUSTRIES, INC. ANNOUNCES THIRD QUARTER DIVIDEND


HOUSTON,  TEXAS - July 18, 2000 - NL Industries,  Inc. (NYSE:NL)  announced that
its Board of  Directors  has  declared a regular  quarterly  dividend of fifteen
cents per share on its common stock,  payable September 27, 2000 to shareholders
of record September 15, 2000.

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


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