NL INDUSTRIES, INC.                       Contact:  John A. St. Wrba
Three Lincoln Centre                                Vice President and Treasurer
5430 LBJ Freeway, Suite 1700                        (972) 233-1700
Dallas, Texas   75240-2697
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                 PRESS RELEASE

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

[LOGO GOES HERE]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE



              NL INDUSTRIES, INC. ANNOUNCES CASH QUARTERLY DIVIDEND


     DALLAS, TEXAS - November 1, 2006 - NL Industries, Inc. (NYSE: NL) announced
today that its board of directors has declared a regular  quarterly  dividend of
twelve and one-half  cents  ($0.125) per share on its common stock to be paid in
cash. The dividend is payable on December 27, 2006 to  shareholders of record at
the close of business on December 8, 2006.

     NL  Industries,  Inc.  is  engaged  in  the  component  products  (security
products,  furniture  components and performance  marine  components),  titanium
dioxide pigments and other businesses.

                                    * * * * *