SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            Washington, D.C. 20549

                                   FORM 10-Q


|X|   QUARTERLY  REPORT  PURSUANT  TO  SECTION  13 OR  15(d)  OF THE  SECURITIES
      EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 - For the quarter ended March 31, 1997

                                      OR

|_|   TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
      EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

                         Commission file number 1-640


                              NL INDUSTRIES, INC.
            (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)



          New Jersey                                             13-5267260
(State or other jurisdiction of                               (IRS Employer
incorporation or organization)                              Identification No.)



16825 Northchase Drive, Suite 1200, Houston, Texas              77060-2544
     (Address of principal executive offices)                   (Zip Code)



Registrant's telephone number, including area code:            (281)  423-3300




Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed  by  Section  13 or 15 (d) of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of 1934
during  the  preceding  12  months,  and (2) had  been  subject  to such  filing
requirements for the past 90 days. Yes X No






Number of shares of common stock outstanding on May 14, 1997:  51,144,014






                     NL INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                                     INDEX




                                                                         Page
PART I.     FINANCIAL INFORMATION

  Item 1.   Financial Statements.

            Consolidated Balance Sheets - December 31, 1996
             and March 31, 1997                                           3-4

            Consolidated Statements of Operations - Three
             months ended March 31, 1996 and 1997                          5

            Consolidated Statement of Shareholders' Deficit
             - Three months ended March 31, 1997                           6

            Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - Three
             months ended March 31, 1996 and 1997                         7-8

            Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements                   9-13

  Item 2.   Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
             Condition and Results of Operations                         14-17


PART II.    OTHER INFORMATION

  Item 1.   Legal Proceedings                                            17-18

  Item 6.   Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K                              19


                                   - 2 -





                     NL INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                          CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

                                (In thousands)


December 31, March 31, ASSETS 1996 1997 ------------ ---------- Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents, including restricted cash of $10,895 and $9,343 ......... $ 114,115 $ 77,662 Accounts and notes receivable .................. 138,538 162,547 Refundable income taxes ........................ 9,267 3,761 Inventories .................................... 232,510 194,033 Prepaid expenses ............................... 4,219 5,485 Deferred income taxes .......................... 1,597 1,234 ---------- ---------- Total current assets ....................... 500,246 444,722 ---------- ---------- Other assets: Marketable securities .......................... 23,718 25,297 Investment in joint ventures ................... 181,479 179,347 Prepaid pension cost ........................... 24,821 24,898 Deferred income taxes .......................... 223 223 Other .......................................... 24,825 25,634 ---------- ---------- Total other assets ......................... 255,066 255,399 ---------- ---------- Property and equipment: Land ........................................... 21,963 20,589 Buildings ...................................... 165,479 157,246 Machinery and equipment ........................ 660,333 628,269 Mining properties .............................. 95,891 94,062 Construction in progress ....................... 13,231 13,360 ---------- ---------- 956,897 913,526 Less accumulated depreciation and depletion .... 490,851 472,279 ---------- ---------- Net property and equipment ................. 466,046 441,247 ---------- ---------- $1,221,358 $1,141,368 ========== ==========
- 3 - NL INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (CONTINUED) (In thousands)
December 31, March 31, LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' DEFICIT 1996 1997 ------------- ------------ Current liabilities: Notes payable ................................ $ 25,732 $ 23,776 Current maturities of long-term debt ......... 91,946 31,626 Accounts payable and accrued liabilities ..... 153,904 150,733 Payable to affiliates ........................ 10,204 9,619 Income taxes ................................. 5,664 5,860 Deferred income taxes ........................ 2,895 2,892 ----------- ----------- Total current liabilities ................ 290,345 224,506 ----------- ----------- Noncurrent liabilities: Long-term debt ............................... 737,100 746,605 Deferred income taxes ........................ 151,221 143,239 Accrued pension cost ......................... 57,941 54,093 Accrued postretirement benefits cost ......... 55,935 54,822 Other ........................................ 132,048 155,061 ----------- ----------- Total noncurrent liabilities ............. 1,134,245 1,153,820 ----------- ----------- Minority interest .............................. 249 237 Shareholders' deficit: Common stock ................................. 8,355 8,355 Additional paid-in capital ................... 759,281 759,281 Adjustments: Currency translation ....................... (118,629) (117,879) Pension liabilities ........................ (1,822) (1,822) Marketable securities ...................... 1,278 2,304 Accumulated deficit .......................... (485,948) (521,669) Treasury stock ............................... (365,996) (365,765) ----------- ----------- Total shareholders' deficit .............. (203,481) (237,195) ----------- ----------- $ 1,221,358 $ 1,141,368 =========== ===========
Commitments and contingencies (Note 13) See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements. - 4 - NL INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS Three months ended March 31, 1996 and 1997 (In thousands, except per share data)
1996 1997 --------- --------- Revenues and other income: Net sales ...................................... $ 240,440 $ 239,476 Other, net ..................................... 10,548 2,242 --------- --------- 250,988 241,718 --------- --------- Costs and expenses: Cost of sales .................................. 169,816 185,035 Selling, general and administrative ............ 42,891 71,146 Interest ....................................... 19,139 18,958 --------- --------- 231,846 275,139 --------- --------- Income (loss) before income taxes and minority interest ......................... 19,142 (33,421) Income tax expense ............................... 5,740 2,292 --------- --------- Income (loss) before minority interest ..... 13,402 (35,713) Minority interest ................................ (42) 8 --------- --------- Net income (loss) .......................... $ 13,444 $ (35,721) ========= ========= Net income (loss) per share of common stock ...... $ .26 $ (.70) ========= ========= Weighted average common and common equivalent shares outstanding .............................. 51,510 51,144 ========= =========
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements. - 5 - NL INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF SHAREHOLDERS' DEFICIT Three months ended March 31, 1997 (In thousands)
Adjustments Additional ------------------------------------- Common paid-in Currency Pension Marketable Accumulated Treasury stock capital translation liabilities securities deficit stock Total --------- ---------- ----------- ----------- ---------- ----------- ---------- ---------- Balance at December 31, 1996 $ 8,355 $ 759,281 $(118,629) $ (1,822) $ 1,278 $(485,948) $(365,996) $(203,481) Net loss ................... - - - - - (35,721) - (35,721) Adjustments ................ - - 750 - 1,026 - - 1,776 Treasury stock reissued .... - - - - - - 231 231 --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- Balance at March 31, 1997 .. $ 8,355 $ 759,281 $(117,879) $ (1,822) $ 2,304 $(521,669) $(365,765) $(237,195) ========= ========= ========= ========= ========= ========= ========= =========
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements. - 6 - NL INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS Three months ended March 31, 1996 and 1997 (In thousands)
1996 1997 -------- -------- Cash flows from operating activities: Net income (loss) ................................ $ 13,444 $(35,721) Depreciation, depletion and amortization ......... 10,125 9,786 Noncash interest expense ......................... 5,026 5,483 Deferred income taxes ............................ (4,065) (198) Change in accounting for environmental remediation liabilities ......................... - 30,000 Other, net ....................................... (4,155) (1,990) -------- -------- 20,375 7,360 Change in assets and liabilities: Accounts and notes receivable .................. (24,052) (30,706) Inventories .................................... (10,213) 28,377 Prepaid expenses ............................... (3,433) (1,478) Accounts payable and accrued liabilities ....... (14,573) 57 Income taxes ................................... 3,153 6,335 Other, net ..................................... (2,514) (2,633) -------- -------- Net cash provided (used) by operating activities .................................. (31,257) 7,312 -------- -------- Cash flows from investing activities: Capital expenditures ............................. (12,250) (8,868) Purchase of minority interest .................... (5,168) - Investment in joint ventures, net ................ 1,379 2,379 Other, net ....................................... 82 64 -------- -------- Net cash used by investing activities ........ (15,957) (6,425) -------- --------
- 7 - NL INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (CONTINUED) Three months ended March 31, 1996 and 1997 (In thousands)
1996 1997 --------- --------- Cash flows from financing activities: Indebtedness: Borrowings ....................................... $ 35,079 $ 140,000 Principal payments ............................... (10,002) (172,577) Deferred financing costs ......................... - (3,434) Dividends .......................................... (5,109) - Other, net ......................................... (406) 231 --------- --------- Net cash provided (used) by financing activities .................................... 19,562 (35,780) --------- --------- Cash and cash equivalents: Net change from: Operating, investing and financing activities .... (27,652) (34,893) Currency translation ............................. (623) (1,560) Balance at beginning of period ..................... 141,333 114,115 --------- --------- Balance at end of period ........................... $ 113,058 $ 77,662 ========= ========= Supplemental disclosures - cash paid (received) for: Interest, net of amounts capitalized ............... $ 6,557 $ 7,153 Income taxes, net .................................. 6,637 (4,385)
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements. - 8 - NL INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Note 1 - Organization and basis of presentation: NL Industries, Inc. conducts its operations primarily through its wholly- owned subsidiaries, Kronos, Inc. (titanium dioxide pigments, or "TiO2") and Rheox, Inc. (specialty chemicals). Valhi, Inc. and Tremont Corporation, each affiliates of Contran Corporation, hold approximately 56% and 18%, respectively, of NL's outstanding common stock, and together may be deemed to control NL. Contran and its subsidiaries and other entities related to Harold C. Simmons hold approximately 91% of Valhi's and 45% of Tremont's outstanding common stock. The consolidated balance sheet of NL Industries, Inc. and Subsidiaries (collectively, the "Company") at December 31, 1996 has been condensed from the Company's audited consolidated financial statements at that date. The consolidated balance sheet at March 31, 1997 and the consolidated statements of operations, shareholders' deficit and cash flows for the interim periods ended March 31, 1996 and 1997 have been prepared by the Company, without audit. In the opinion of management, all adjustments necessary to present fairly the consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows have been made. The results of operations for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the operating results for a full year or of future operations. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles have been condensed or omitted. The accompanying consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1996 (the "1996 Annual Report"). The Company adopted a new method of accounting as required by the AICPA's Statement of Position ("SOP") No. 96-1, "Environmental Remediation Liabilities," in the first quarter of 1997. The SOP, among other things, expands the types of costs which must be considered in determining environmental remediation accruals. As a result of adopting the SOP, the Company recognized a noncash cumulative charge of $30 million in the first quarter of 1997. The charge is not expected to materially change the Company's 1997 income tax expense because the Company believes the resulting deferred income tax asset does not currently satisfy the more-likely-than-not realization criteria and, accordingly, the Company has established an offsetting valuation allowance. Such charge is comprised primarily of estimated future undiscounted expenditures associated with managing and monitoring existing environmental remediation sites. The expenditures consist principally of legal and professional fees, but do not include litigation defense costs with respect to situations in which the Company asserts that no liability exists. Previously, such expenditures were expensed as incurred. - 9 - Note 2 - Net income (loss) per share of common stock: Net income (loss) per share of common stock is based on the weighted average number of common shares and equivalents outstanding. Common stock equivalents, consisting of nonqualified stock options, are excluded from the computation when their effect is antidilutive. The Company will retroactively adopt Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 128, "Earnings Per Share," effective December 31, 1997. Basic earnings per share pursuant to SFAS No. 128 will not be materially different from earnings per share presented herein and diluted earnings per share pursuant to SFAS No. 128 is not expected to be materially different from basic earnings per share. Note 3 - Business segment information: The Company's operations are conducted in two business segments - TiO2 conducted by Kronos and specialty chemicals conducted by Rheox.
Three months ended March 31, -------------------------- 1996 1997 --------- --------- (In thousands) Net sales: Kronos ..................................... $ 206,368 $ 204,389 Rheox ...................................... 34,072 35,087 --------- --------- $ 240,440 $ 239,476 ========= ========= Operating income: Kronos ..................................... $ 29,472 $ 8,689 Rheox ...................................... 12,466 10,136 --------- --------- 41,938 18,825 General corporate income (expense): Securities earnings, net ................... 1,307 699 Expenses, net .............................. (4,964) (33,987) Interest expense ........................... (19,139) (18,958) --------- --------- $ 19,142 $ (33,421) ========= =========
Corporate expenses, net increased in the first quarter of 1997 due to the $30 million noncash charge related to the adoption of a new method of accounting for certain environmental remediation costs, as described in Note 1. Note 4 - Inventories:
December 31, March 31, 1996 1997 ------------ --------- (In thousands) Raw materials ............................ $ 43,284 $ 28,529 Work in process .......................... 10,356 10,088 Finished products ........................ 142,091 121,149 Supplies ................................. 36,779 34,267 -------- -------- $232,510 $194,033 ======== ========
- 10 - Note 5 - Marketable securities:
December 31, March 31, 1996 1997 ------------ --------- (In thousands) Available-for-sale securities - noncurrent marketable equity securities: Unrealized gains $ 3,516 $ 4,933 Unrealized losses (1,550) (1,388) Cost 21,752 21,752 ------- ------- Aggregate market $23,718 $25,297 ======= =======
Note 6 - Investment in joint ventures:
December 31, March 31, 1996 1997 ------------ --------- (In thousands) TiO2 manufacturing joint venture ............... $179,195 $176,816 Other .......................................... 2,284 2,531 -------- -------- $181,479 $179,347 ======== ========
Note 7 - Other noncurrent assets:
December 31, March 31, 1996 1997 ------------ --------- (In thousands) Intangible assets, net ......................... $ 7,939 $ 6,683 Deferred financing costs, net .................. 9,791 12,144 Other .......................................... 7,095 6,807 ------- ------- $24,825 $25,634 ======= =======
Note 8 - Accounts payable and accrued liabilities:
December 31, March 31, 1996 1997 ------------ --------- (In thousands) Accounts payable ......................... $ 60,648 $ 52,390 -------- -------- Accrued liabilities: Employee benefits ...................... 34,618 31,437 Environmental costs .................... 6,000 9,000 Interest ............................... 9,429 14,890 Miscellaneous taxes .................... 4,073 3,736 Other .................................. 39,136 39,280 -------- -------- 93,256 98,343 -------- -------- $153,904 $150,733 ======== ========
- 11 - Note 9 - Other noncurrent liabilities:
December 31, March 31, 1996 1997 ------------ --------- (In thousands) Environmental costs .......................... $106,849 $130,918 Employee benefits ............................ 11,960 11,087 Insurance claims and expenses ................ 11,673 11,603 Other ........................................ 1,566 1,453 -------- -------- $132,048 $155,061 ======== ========
Note 10 - Notes payable and long-term debt:
December 31, March 31, 1996 1997 ------------ --------- (In thousands) Notes payable - Kronos (DM 40,000) ................. $ 25,732 $ 23,776 ======== ======== Long-term debt: NL Industries: 11.75% Senior Secured Notes .................... $250,000 $250,000 13% Senior Secured Discount Notes .............. 149,756 154,493 -------- -------- 399,756 404,493 -------- -------- Kronos: DM bank credit facility (DM 539,971 and DM 288,322, respectively) ..................... 347,362 171,379 Joint venture term loan ........................ 57,858 54,000 Other .......................................... 9,125 8,111 -------- -------- 414,345 233,490 -------- -------- Rheox: Bank term loan ................................. 14,659 140,000 Other .......................................... 286 248 -------- -------- 14,945 140,248 -------- -------- 829,046 778,231 Less current maturities ............................ 91,946 31,626 -------- -------- $737,100 $746,605 ======== ========
- 12 - Note 11 - Income taxes: The difference between the provision for income tax expense attributable to income before income taxes and minority interest and the amount that would be expected using the U.S. federal statutory income tax rate of 35% is presented below.
Three months ended March 31, -------------------- 1996 1997 -------- -------- (In thousands) Expected tax expense (benefit) ......................... $ 6,700 $(11,697) Non-U.S. tax rates ..................................... (1,462) (207) Incremental tax on income of companies not included in NL's consolidated U.S. federal income tax return ... 114 500 Valuation allowance .................................... (709) 12,942 U.S. state income taxes ................................ 364 450 Other, net ............................................. 733 304 -------- -------- Income tax expense ............................... $ 5,740 $ 2,292 ======== ========
Note 12 - Other income, net:
Three months ended March 31, ----------------------- 1996 1997 ------- ------- (In thousands) Interest and dividends ......................... $ 1,307 $ 699 Pension curtailment gain ....................... 4,554 - Technology fee income .......................... 3,081 - Currency transaction gains, net ................ 1,046 517 Other, net ..................................... 560 1,026 ------- ------- $10,548 $ 2,242 ======= =======
Note 13 - Commitments and contingencies: For descriptions of certain legal proceedings, income tax and other commitments and contingencies related to the Company, reference is made to (i) Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, (ii) Part II, Item 1 -"Legal Proceedings" and (iii) the 1996 Annual Report. - 13 - MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS RESULTS OF OPERATIONS The Company's chemical operations are conducted in two business segments - TiO2 conducted by Kronos and specialty chemicals conducted by Rheox.
Three months ended % March 31, Change -------------------- ------ 1996 1997 ------ ------ (In millions) Net sales: Kronos ............................... $206.3 $204.4 -1% Rheox ................................ 34.1 35.1 +3% ------ ------ $240.4 $239.5 N/C ====== ====== Operating income: Kronos ............................... $ 29.5 $ 8.7 -70% Rheox ................................ 12.4 10.1 -19% ------ ------ $ 41.9 $ 18.8 -55% ====== ====== Percent changes in TiO2: Sales volume ......................... +22% Average selling prices (in billing currencies).............. -16%
Kronos' TiO2 operating income in the first quarter of 1997 decreased from the first quarter of 1996 as lower average selling prices were only slightly offset by higher production and sales volumes. Kronos' record first quarter sales volumes improved 22% from the first quarter of 1996, reflecting improved demand for TiO2 in each of Kronos' major markets. Average TiO2 selling prices for the first quarter of 1997 were 16% lower than the first quarter of 1996, and average prices for the quarter were 2% lower than the fourth quarter of 1996. The Company expects TiO2 prices will begin to increase during the second quarter of 1997 as the impact of previously-announced price increases begin to take effect. Kronos anticipates its TiO2 sales volume will exceed year-earlier levels through the second quarter of 1997 and Kronos expects sales volumes for full-year 1997 to be slightly higher than full-year 1996. Kronos expects its full-year 1997 operating income will be below that of 1996, primarily because of lower anticipated average TiO2 prices for 1997 compared to 1996. Kronos' selling, general and administrative expenses decreased in the first quarter of 1997 due to favorable effects of foreign currency translation, partially offset by higher distribution expenses associated with higher first-quarter 1997 sales volume. Kronos' cost of sales as a percentage of net sales increased in the first quarter of 1997 due to lower average prices in the first quarter of 1997. Rheox's operating results for the first quarter of 1997 improved slightly compared to the first quarter of 1996 on slightly higher sales volumes, excluding - 14 - a first-quarter 1996 $2.7 million gain related to the curtailment of certain U.S. employee pension benefits. Rheox's cost of sales increased in the first quarter of 1997 over the prior-year period primarily due to slightly higher sales volume, and cost of sales as a percentage of net sales was comparable to the 1996 period. Selling, general and administrative expenses increased in the first quarter of 1997 compared to the first quarter of 1996 primarily due to higher variable compensation expense. A significant amount of sales are denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar, and fluctuations in the value of the U.S. dollar relative to other currencies decreased the dollar value of sales for the first quarter of 1997 by $8 million compared to the first quarter of 1996. The following table sets forth certain information regarding general corporate income (expense).
Three months ended March 31, Difference --------------------- ---------- 1996 1997 ------ ------ (In millions) Securities earnings .................. $ 1.3 $ .7 $ (.6) Corporate expenses, net .............. (5.0) (34.0) (29.0) Interest expense ..................... (19.1) (19.0) .1 ------ ------ ------ $(22.8) $(52.3) $(29.5) ====== ====== ======
Securities earnings declined due to lower average balances available for investment. Corporate expense, net in the first quarter of 1997 was higher than the comparable period in 1996 due to the $30 million noncash charge related to the Company's adoption of SOP No. 96-1, "Environmental Remediation Liabilities." See Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. This charge is included in selling, general and administrative expense in the Company's consolidated statements of operations. LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES The Company's consolidated cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities for the three months ended March 31, 1996 and 1997 are presented below.
Three months ended March 31, ------------------ 1996 1997 ------- ------- (In millions) Net cash provided (used) by: Operating activities ................................. $ (31.3) $ 7.3 Investing activities ................................. (16.0) (6.4) Financing activities ................................. 19.6 (35.8) ------- ------- Net cash used by operating, investing and financing activities ............................ $ (27.7) $ (34.9) ======= =======
- 15 - The TiO2 industry is cyclical and changes in economic conditions within the industry significantly impact the earnings and operating cash flows of the Company. Cash flows from operations before change in assets and liabilities in the 1997 period declined from the comparable period in 1996 due to lower operating income. Changes in the Company's inventories, receivables and payables (excluding the effect of currency translation) used cash in both the first quarter of 1996 and 1997; however, the cash used in the first quarter of 1997 was significantly less than the first quarter of 1996 due to cash provided from reductions in inventory levels in the 1997 period. Certain of the Company's income tax returns in various U.S. and non-U.S. jurisdictions are being examined and tax authorities have proposed or may propose tax deficiencies. The Company has previously reached an agreement with the German tax authorities, and paid certain tax deficiencies of approximately DM 44 million ($28 million when paid), including interest, which resolved significant tax contingencies for years through 1990. Certain other significant German tax contingencies remain outstanding and will continue to be litigated. The Company has received certain tax assessments aggregating DM 130 million ($77 million), including interest, for years through 1996 and expects to receive tax assessments for an additional DM 20 million ($12 million) related to these remaining tax contingencies. No payments of tax or interest deficiencies related to these assessments will be required until the litigation is resolved, which the Company anticipates may take approximately two to five years. Although the Company believes that it will ultimately prevail, the Company has granted a DM 100 million ($59 million at March 31, 1997) lien on its Nordenham, Germany TiO2 plant in favor of the German tax authorities until the litigation is resolved. No assurance can be given that this litigation will be resolved in the Company's favor in view of the inherent uncertainties involved in court proceedings. The Company believes that it has adequately provided accruals for additional income taxes and related interest expense which may ultimately result from all such examinations and believes that the ultimate disposition of such examinations should not have a material adverse effect on the Company's consolidated financial position, results of operations or liquidity. In order to improve its near-term liquidity, the Company refinanced its Rheox subsidiary during January 1997, obtaining a net $125 million of new long-term financing. The net proceeds, along with other available funds, were used to prepay DM 207 million ($127 million when paid) of the Company's DM term loan and to repay DM 43 million ($26 million when paid) of the Company's DM revolving credit facility. As a result of the refinancing and prepayment, the Company's aggregate scheduled debt payments for 1997 and 1998 decreased by $103 million ($64 million in 1997 and $39 million in 1998). In connection with the prepayment, the Company and its lenders modified certain financial covenants of the DM credit agreement and NL guaranteed the facility. At March 31, 1997, the Company was in compliance with all financial covenants governing its debt agreements. In addition to the above refinancing and prepayment, the Company repaid $3.9 million of the joint venture term loan in the first quarter of 1997. At March 31, 1997, the Company had cash and cash equivalents aggregating $78 million (51% held by non-U.S. subsidiaries), including restricted cash and - 16 - cash equivalents of $9 million. The Company's subsidiaries had $9 million and $94 million available for borrowing at March 31, 1997 under existing U.S. and non-U.S. credit facilities, respectively. The Company has been named as a defendant, potentially responsible party ("PRP"), or both, in a number of legal proceedings associated with environmental matters, including waste disposal sites, mining locations and facilities currently or previously owned, operated or used by the Company, certain of which are on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (the "U.S. EPA") Superfund National Priorities List or similar state lists. On a quarterly basis, the Company evaluates the potential range of its liability at sites where it has been named as a PRP or defendant. The Company believes it has adequate accruals ($140 million at March 31, 1997) for reasonably estimable costs of such matters, but the Company's ultimate liability may be affected by a number of factors, including changes in remedial alternatives and costs and the allocations of such costs among PRPs. It is not possible to estimate the range of costs for certain sites. The upper end of the range of reasonably possible costs to the Company for sites for which it is possible to estimate costs is approximately $185 million. The Company's estimates of such liabilities have not been discounted to present value, and the Company has not recognized any potential insurance recoveries. No assurance can be given that actual costs will not exceed accrued amounts or the upper end of the range for sites for which estimates have been made, and no assurance can be given that costs will not be incurred with respect to sites as to which no estimate presently can be made. Further, there can be no assurance that additional environmental matters will not arise in the future. The Company is also a defendant in a number of legal proceedings seeking damages for personal injury and property damage arising from the sale of lead pigments and lead-based paints. There is no assurance that the Company will not incur future liability in respect of this pending litigation in view of the inherent uncertainties involved in court and jury rulings in pending and possible future cases. However, based on, among other things, the results of such litigation to date, the Company believes that the pending lead pigment and paint litigation is without merit. The Company has not accrued any amounts for such pending litigation. Liability that may result, if any, cannot be reasonably estimated. In addition, various legislation and administrative regulations have, from time to time, been enacted or proposed that seek to impose various obligations on present and former manufacturers of lead pigment and lead-based paint with respect to asserted health concerns associated with the use of such products and to effectively overturn court decisions in which the Company and other pigment manufacturers have been successful. The Company currently believes the disposition of all claims and disputes, individually and in the aggregate, should not have a material adverse effect on the Company's consolidated financial position, results of operations or liquidity. There can be no assurance that additional matters of these types will not arise in the future. The Company periodically evaluates its liquidity requirements, alternative uses of capital, capital needs and availability of resources in view of, among other things, its debt service and capital expenditure requirements and estimated future operating cash flows. As a result of this process, the Company in the past has sought, and in the future may seek, to reduce, refinance, repurchase or restructure indebtedness, raise additional capital, issue additional securities, - 17 - modify its dividend policy, restructure ownership interests, sell interests in subsidiaries or other assets, or take a combination of such steps or other steps to manage its liquidity and capital resources. In the normal course of its business, the Company may review opportunities for the acquisition, divestiture, joint venture or other business combinations in the chemicals industry. In the event of any such transactions, the Company may consider using available cash, issuing equity securities or increasing its indebtedness to the extent permitted by the agreements governing the Company's existing debt. The statements contained in this Report on Form 10-Q ("Quarterly Report") which are not historical facts, including, but not limited to, statements found under the captions "Results of Operations" and "Liquidity and Capital Resources" above, are forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. The actual results of the future events described in such forward-looking statements in this Quarterly Report could differ materially from those stated in such forward-looking statements. Among the factors that could cause actual results to differ materially are the risks and uncertainties discussed in this Quarterly Report and in the 1996 Annual Report, including, without limitation, the portions of such reports under the captions referenced above, and the uncertainties set forth from time to time in the Company's other public reports and filings and public statements. PART II. OTHER INFORMATION ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS Reference is made to the 1996 Annual Report for descriptions of certain previously-reported legal proceedings. In April 1997 the Quebec Court of Appeals dismissed the Canadian Fisheries Act case (previously reported at page 9 of the 1996 Annual Report) against one of the individual defendants. In May 1997 the Crown's counsel filed an order of nolle prosequi effectively terminating the matter as against Kronos Canada, Inc. and the remaining individual defendant. In May 1998 the matter will be expunged from the records as if it had never been brought. Kronos Canada and the individual defendant have agreed not to seek damages for malicious or improper prosecution. Ritchie v. NL Industries, et al. (No. 5:96-CV-166). The case was remanded to state court in April 1997. In April 1997 the Company was served with a complaint in Parker v. NL Industries, et al. (Circuit Court, Baltimore City, Maryland, No. 97085060 CC915). Plaintiff, now an adult, and his wife, seek compensatory and punitive damages from the Company, another former manufacturer of lead paint and a local paint retailer, based on claims of negligence, strict liability and fraud, for plaintiff's alleged ingestion of lead paint as a child. In May 1997 the Company removed the case to federal court. In March 1997 the Company was served with a complaint filed in the Fifth Judicial District Court of Cass County, Texas, on behalf of approximately 4,000 plaintiffs and their spouses alleging injury due to exposure to asbestos and - 18 - seeking compensatory and punitive damages. The Company has filed an answer denying the material allegations. (Ernest Hughes, et al. v. Owens-Corning Fiberglass, Corporation, et al., No. 97-C-051). ITEM 6. EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K (a) Exhibits 10.1 - Executive severance agreement effective as of July 24, 1996 by and between the Registrant and J. Landis Martin. 10.2 - Intercorporate Services Agreement by and between Contran Corporation and the Registrant effective as of January 1, 1997. 10.3 - Intercorporate Services Agreement by and between Valhi, Inc. and the Registrant effective as of January 1, 1997. 10.4 - Intercorporate Services Agreement by and between Tremont Corporation and the Registrant effective as of January 1, 1997. 10.5 - Intercorporate Services Agreement by and between Titanium Metals Corporation and the Registrant effective as of January 1, 1997. 27.1 - Financial Data Schedule for the three-month period ended March 31, 1997. (b) Reports on Form 8-K Reports on Form 8-K for the quarter ended March 31, 1997 and through the date of this report: January 30, 1997 - reported Items 5 and 7. April 22, 1997 - reported Items 5 and 7. - 19 - SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized. NL INDUSTRIES, INC. (Registrant) Date: May 14, 1997 By /s/ Joseph S. Compofelice - ------------------- ------------------------------ Joseph S. Compofelice Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Date: May 14, 1997 By /s/ Dennis G. Newkirk - ------------------- ------------------------------ Dennis G. Newkirk Vice President and Controller (Principal Accounting Officer) - 20 -
                                                                  EXHIBIT 10.1


                             AMENDED AND RESTATED
                         EXECUTIVE SEVERANCE AGREEMENT

      This Amended and Restated Executive  Severance Agreement is made effective
as of the 24th day of July,  1996,  by and between NL  INDUSTRIES,  INC.,  a New
Jersey  corporation  (hereinafter  called the  "Company"),  and J. Landis Martin
(hereinafter  called the  "Executive")  and supersedes  the Executive  Severance
Agreement dated December 31, 1991, between the Company and Executive.

      To  assure  the  Company  that it will  have  the  continued  services  of
Executive and the  availability of Executive's  advice and counsel and to induce
Executive  to  remain  in the  employ of the  Company,  and for  other  good and
valuable consideration, the Company and Executive agree as follows:

      1.    Termination.

            a.    General. This Agreement is not an employment contract nor does
                  it in any way alter  the  status of  Executive  as an  at-will
                  employee  of  the  Company  serving  at  the  pleasure  of the
                  Company's Board of Directors.  Executive's employment with the
                  Company may be terminated  without  notice (except as required
                  by  Section  2  hereof)  at any time,  for any  reason  (i) by
                  resolution  approved by Directors  constituting  a majority of
                  all of the Directors then holding office or (ii) by Executive.

            b.    Termination by the Company. Executive shall be entitled to the
                  severance  benefits  set  forth  in  Sections  3  and  4  upon
                  termination  of  Executive's  employment by the Company unless
                  such termination is for cause (as defined below).  Executive's
                  termination of employment with the Company by virtue of death,
                  disability  (as  defined  below),  or  retirement  (as defined
                  below) shall not be considered  as a termination  of Executive
                  by the Company. For purposes of this Agreement,  "cause" shall
                  mean (i)  Executive's  conviction  of any  criminal  violation
                  involving  dishonesty,  fraud or breach of trust or any felony
                  or (ii) Executive's  willful engagement in gross misconduct in
                  the  performance  of his duties that  materially and adversely
                  affects the financial condition of the Company.  The Executive
                  shall be  deemed  to have a  "disability"  if,  by  reason  of
                  physical or mental  incapacity,  Executive  becomes  unable to
                  perform  his  normal  duties  for  more  than  180 days in the
                  aggregate  (excluding  infrequent and temporary absence due to
                  ordinary  transitory  illness)  during  any  12-month  period.
                  Executive  shall be deemed to have  "retired"  upon  Executive
                  reaching the age of 65;  provided that  Executive is no longer
                  employed by the Company.

            c.    Termination by the Employee.  Executive  shall not be entitled
                  to the  severance  benefits  set forth in  Sections 3 and 4 of
                  this Agreement upon termination of Executive's employment with
                  the Company by Executive  unless such  termination is for good
                  reason.  For purposes of this  Agreement,  "good reason" shall
                  mean the occurrence of any one of the following events without
                  Executive's consent:



                                   - 1 -








                  (i)   the assignment of Executive to any duties  substantially
                        inconsistent with his position, duties, responsibilities
                        or status  with the  Company  immediately  prior to such
                        assignment,  or a substantial reduction of the duties or
                        responsibilities,   as  compared   with  the  duties  or
                        responsibilities immediately prior to such reduction, it
                        being  expressly  understood that a promotion of another
                        executive to a position senior to Executive shall not in
                        and of  itself be deemed  to  constitute  "good  reason"
                        under this Section 1.c(i);

            (ii)  a reduction by the Company in the amount of Executive's annual
                  base salary as in effect as of the date of this  agreement  or
                  as the same may be  increased  from time to time,  except  for
                  across-the-board  salary  reductions  similarly  affecting all
                  executives of the Company; or

            (iii) the Company  repudiates  this  Agreement  or fails to obtain a
                  satisfactory  agreement from any successor to assume and agree
                  to perform this Agreement, as contemplated by Section 9.a.
                  hereof.

      2.    Notice of Certain  Terminations.  In the event  that  either (i) the
            Company shall terminate  Executive for cause or (ii) Executive shall
            resign  for  good  reason,   then  any  such  termination  shall  be
            communicated  by written notice to the other party hereto.  Any such
            notice shall specify (a) the effective  date of  termination,  which
            shall  not be  more  than 30 days  after  the  date  the  notice  is
            delivered (the "Termination Date"); and (b) in reasonable detail the
            facts  and  circumstances   underlying  a  determination   that  the
            termination is for cause or for good reason,  as the case may be. If
            within 15 days after any notice is given,  the party  receiving such
            notice  notifies  the other party that a good faith  dispute  exists
            concerning the characterization of the termination,  the Termination
            Date  shall be the date on which such  dispute  is finally  resolved
            either by written  agreement  of the parties or by a final  judicial
            determination. Notwithstanding the pendency of any such dispute, the
            Company shall continue  Executive and his dependents as participants
            in all medical,  dental and any other health  insurance  and similar
            benefit plans of the Company in which he and they were participating
            when the notice  giving  rise to the  dispute  was given,  until the
            dispute is finally resolved.  Benefits provided under this Section 2
            are in addition to all other  amounts due under this  Agreement  and
            shall not be offset against,  or reduce any other amounts due under,
            this Agreement.

      3.    Termination Benefits. Subject to the conditions set forth in Section
            1 and Section  6.b.  hereof,  the Company  shall make the  following
            payments (subject to any applicable  payroll or other taxes required
            to be withheld) to Executive within 15 days of the Termination Date:

            a.    Base Salary and Bonus. Two times Executive's  effective annual
                  base salary at the Termination Date plus two times Executive's
                  level "B" target bonus under the Company's  Employee Incentive
                  Bonus  Plan as in effect  at the  Termination  Date,  it being
                  understood  that such level shall in any event be a minimum of
                  100% of Executive's effective annual base salary.




                                   - 2 -








            b.    Accrued  Amounts.  (i)  Accrued  but  unpaid  salary and bonus
                  through  the  Termination  Date and (ii)  unpaid  salary  with
                  respect to any  vacation  days accrued but not taken as of the
                  Termination Date.

      4.    Other  Benefits.  Subject to the  conditions set forth in Sections 1
            and 6.b. hereof,  the following  benefits (subject to any applicable
            payroll or other  taxes  required to be  withheld)  shall be paid or
            provided to Executive within 15 days of the Termination Date:

            a.    Insurance  Benefits.  Medical,  dental  and any  other  health
                  insurance, life insurance,  accidental death and dismemberment
                  insurance  and  disability  protection  no less  favorable  to
                  Executive and his dependents  covered thereby  (including with
                  respect to any costs borne by  Executive)  than the greater of
                  the  coverage  provided  on the  date  of  execution  of  this
                  Agreement  or the  coverage  provided  by Company  immediately
                  prior to the Termination  Date for the period beginning on the
                  Termination  Date and  ending on the first to occur of (i) the
                  date  of   Executive's   re-employment   or  (ii)  the  second
                  anniversary of the Termination Date.

      5.    Retirement  Plan.   Following  retirement  and  attainment  of  ages
            specified in the  Retirement  Plan of NL  Industries,  Inc. (the "NL
            Pension Plan"),  Executive shall be entitled to all pension benefits
            which are  available  to him under the NL Pension  Plan in effect on
            the Termination Date.

      6.    Benefits Valuation and Limitation.

            a.    Promptly  following any Termination Date, and as of that date,
                  the  Company  will  notify   Executive  of  the  itemized  and
                  aggregate  cash  value  of  the  payments  and  benefits,   as
                  determined  under Section 280G of the Code,  received or to be
                  received by Executive in connection  with the  termination  of
                  his employment  (whether payable pursuant to the terms of this
                  Agreement or  otherwise).  At the same time, the Company shall
                  advise  Executive of the portion of such  payments or benefits
                  which constitute  parachute payments within the meaning of the
                  Code and which may subject  Executive to the payment of excise
                  taxes pursuant to Section 4999 and the expected amount of such
                  taxes (such payments or benefits being hereinafter referred to
                  as "Parachute Payments").

            b.    Notwithstanding  the provisions of Sections 3 and 4 hereof, if
                  all or any portion of the payments or benefits  provided under
                  Sections 3 or 4 either alone or together  with other  payments
                  or benefits  which  Executive has received or is then entitled
                  to receive from the Company and any of its subsidiaries  would
                  constitute  Parachute  Payments,  such  payments  or  benefits
                  provided to Executive  under Sections 3 and 4 shall be reduced
                  to the extent  necessary so that no portion  thereof  shall be
                  subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code;
                  but only if,  by  reason of such  reduction,  Executive's  net
                  after tax  benefit  shall  exceed the net after tax benefit if
                  such reduction were not made.




                                   - 3 -








                  "Net after tax  benefit"  for  purposes of this  Section  6.b.
                  shall  mean  the  sum of  (i)  the  total  amount  payable  to
                  Executive  under Sections 3 and 4 hereof,  plus (ii) all other
                  payments and benefits which  Executive has received or is then
                  entitled   to  receive   from  the  Company  and  any  of  its
                  subsidiaries that would constitute a Parachute  Payment,  less
                  (iii) the amount of federal  income taxes payable with respect
                  to the payment and  benefits  described  in (i) and (ii) above
                  calculated  at the maximum  marginal  income tax rate for each
                  year in which  such  payments  and  benefits  shall be paid to
                  Executive  (based upon the rate in effect for such year as set
                  forth  in the Code at the  Termination  Date),  less  (iv) the
                  amount of excise  taxes  imposed  with respect to the payments
                  and  benefits  described in (i) and (ii) above by Section 4999
                  of the Code.

                  For purposes of this Section  6.b.,  Executive's  base amount,
                  the present value of the Parachute Payments, the amount of the
                  excise  tax  and  all  other  appropriate   matters  shall  be
                  determined by the Company's independent auditors in accordance
                  with the principles of Section 280G of the Code and based upon
                  the advice of tax counsel  selected by the Company,  which tax
                  counsel shall be reasonably satisfactory to Executive.

      7.    Mitigation.  Executive is not required to seek other  employment  or
            otherwise  mitigate  the  amount of any  payments  to be made by the
            Company pursuant to this Agreement.  Except as otherwise provided in
            Section 4.a. of this Agreement,  the amount of any payments or other
            benefits  provided for in this Agreement shall not be reduced by any
            compensation  earned by  Executive  as the result of  employment  by
            another employer after the Termination Date, or otherwise.

      8.    Continuing Obligations.  Executive hereby agrees that all documents,
            records,  techniques,  business secrets and other  information which
            have come and will come into his possession from time to time during
            his employment by the Company shall be deemed to be confidential and
            proprietary to the Company,  and Executive  further agrees to retain
            in confidence any confidential  information  known to him concerning
            the Company and its subsidiaries and their respective  businesses so
            long as such information is not publicly disclosed.

      9.    Successors.

            a.    The Company  shall require any  successor  (whether  direct or
                  indirect, by purchase, merger,  consolidation or otherwise) to
                  all or substantially  all of the business and/or assets of the
                  Company,  by  Agreement  in  form  and  substance   reasonably
                  satisfactory  to Executive  to  expressly  assume and agree to
                  perform  this  Agreement  in the same  manner  and to the same
                  extent that the Company  would be required to perform it if no
                  such  succession  had  taken  place.   For  purposes  of  this
                  Agreement,  any  determination  as to whether  the Company has
                  engaged in a transaction involving all or substantially all of
                  the business and/or assets of the Company shall be made by the
                  Board of Directors in its sole discretion, which determination
                  shall be final and  binding on the  parties.  For  purposes of
                  this Agreement,  "Company" shall mean NL Industries,  Inc. and
                  any successor to its business and/or assets as aforesaid which
                  assumes and agrees



                                   - 4 -








                  to perform this Agreement or which otherwise  becomes bound by
                  all the terms and provisions of this Agreement by operation of
                  law or otherwise.

            b.    This   Agreement   shall  inure  to  the  benefit  of  and  be
                  enforceable by Executive's personal or legal  representatives,
                  executors,  administrators,  successors,  heirs, distributees,
                  devisees  and  legatees.  If  Executive  should  die while any
                  amounts are payable to him hereunder, all such amounts, unless
                  otherwise  provided  herein,  shall be paid in accordance with
                  the terms of this Agreement to Executive's devisee, legatee or
                  other  designee  or,  if  there  be  no  such   designee,   to
                  Executive's estate.

      10.   Notices.  For the purposes of this Agreement,  notices and all other
            communications  provided for herein shall be in writing and shall be
            deemed to have been duly given when actually  delivered or mailed by
            United  States   registered  or  certified   mail,   return  receipt
            requested, postage prepaid, addressed as follows:

                  If to Executive:

                        Mr. J. Landis Martin
                        150 Vine Street
                        Denver, Colorado 80206

                  If to the Company:

                        NL Industries, Inc.
                        16825 Northchase Drive, Suite 1200
                        Houston, Texas 77060
                        ATTENTION:  General Counsel

            or to such other  address as either party may have  furnished to the
            other in writing in  accordance  herewith,  except  that  notices of
            change of address shall be effective only upon receipt.

      11.   Governing  Law.  The  validity,  interpretation,   construction  and
            performance  of this  Agreement  shall be governed  by the  internal
            laws, and not the conflicts laws, of the State of Texas.

      12.   Miscellaneous.  No  provisions  of this  Agreement  may be modified,
            waived or discharged  unless such waiver,  modification or discharge
            is agreed to in writing  signed by Executive  and a duly  authorized
            officer of the Company. No waiver by either party hereto at any time
            of any breach by the other party hereto of, or compliance  with, any
            condition  or  provision  of this  Agreement to be performed by such
            other  party  shall be  deemed a waiver  of  similar  or  dissimilar
            provisions  or  conditions  at the same or any  prior or  subsequent
            time. No agreements or representations,  oral or otherwise,  express
            or implied, with respect to the subject matter hereof have been made
            by either party which are not set forth expressly in this Agreement.




                                   - 5 -








      13.   Validity.  The  invalidity or  unenforceability  of any provision of
            this Agreement  shall not affect the validity or  enforceability  of
            any other  provision of this  Agreement,  which shall remain in full
            force and effect.

      14.   Non-assignability.  This Agreement is personal in nature and neither
            of the parties  hereto  shall,  without  the written  consent of the
            other,   assign  or  transfer  this   Agreement  or  any  rights  or
            obligations  hereunder,  except as  provided  in Section 9.  Without
            limiting  the  foregoing,  Executive's  right  to  receive  payments
            hereunder  shall  not be  assignable  or  transferable,  whether  by
            pledge,  creation of a security interest or otherwise,  other than a
            transfer  by  his  will  or  trust  or by the  laws  of  descent  or
            distribution,  and  in the  event  of any  attempted  assignment  or
            transfer  contrary  to this  paragraph  the  Company  shall  have no
            liability  to  pay  any  amount  so  attempted  to  be  assigned  or
            transferred.

      15.   Term of Agreement.  This Agreement shall commence on the date hereof
            and shall continue in effect through December 31 of 2000.

      16.   Enforcement  Costs.  In the event that either  party files an action
            against  the  other in any court to  collect,  enforce,  protect  or
            preserve its rights under this  Agreement,  the prevailing  party in
            such action  shall be entitled  to receive  reimbursement  from such
            other  party  of  all  reasonable  costs  and  expenses,   including
            attorneys' fees, which such prevailing party incurred in prosecuting
            or defending such action, as the case may be.

      17.   Counterparts.  This  Agreement may be executed in two  counterparts,
            each of which  shall be  deemed to be an  original  but all of which
            taken together will constitute one and the same instrument.

      18.   Unsecured Obligation. All rights of Executive and Executive's spouse
            or other  beneficiary  under  this  Agreement  shall at all times be
            entirely  unfunded and no  provision  shall at any time be made with
            respect  to  segregating  assets of the  Company  or  payment of any
            amounts due  hereunder.  Neither  Executive  nor his spouse or other
            beneficiary  shall  have  any  interest  in or  rights  against  any
            specific  assets of the  Company,  and  Executive  and his spouse or
            other  beneficiary shall have only the rights of a general unsecured
            creditor of the Company.


                           *       *       *       *




                                   - 6 -







            IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the  parties  have  caused  this  Amended  and
Restated Executive Severance Agreement to be executed and delivered effective as
of the date first written above.

                                 The Company:

                                 NL INDUSTRIES, INC.


                                 By_________________________________
                                       Harold C. Simmons,
                                       Chairman of the Board


                                 Executive:


                                 ____________________________________
                                       J. Landis Martin









                                   - 7 -







                                                                  EXHIBIT 10.2

                       INTERCORPORATE SERVICES AGREEMENT

      This INTERCORPORATE SERVICES AGREEMENT (the "Agreement"),  effective as of
January 1, 1997,  amends and  supersedes  that certain  Intercorporate  Services
Agreement effective as of January 1, 1996 by and between CONTRAN CORPORATION,  a
Delaware  corporation  ("Contran"),  and  NL  INDUSTRIES,  INC.,  a  New  Jersey
corporation. ("Recipient"),

                                   Recitals

      A.  Harold C.  Simmons,  an  employee  of Contran  and a director  and the
Chairman of the Board of  Recipient,  performs  certain  advisory  functions for
Recipient,  which  functions are unrelated to his function as a director and the
Chairman of the Board of Recipient, without direct compensation from Recipient.

      B. Recipient does not separately  maintain the full internal capability to
perform all necessary advisory functions that Recipient requires.

      C. The costs of engaging the advisory  services of someone  possessing Mr.
Simmons'  expertise  and the costs of  maintaining  the  personnel  necessary to
perform the functions  provided for by this  Agreement  would exceed the fee set
forth in Section 3 of this Agreement and the terms of this Agreement are no less
favorable to Recipient  than could  otherwise be obtained from a third party for
comparable services.

      D. Recipient desires to continue receiving the advisory services of Harold
C. Simmons and Contran is willing to continue to provide such services under the
terms of this Agreement.

                                  Agreement

      For and in  consideration  of the  mutual  premises,  representations  and
covenants herein contained, the parties hereto mutually agree as follows:

      Section 1. Services to be Provided.  Contran  agrees to make  available to
Recipient,  upon request, the following services (the "Services") to be rendered
by Harold C. Simmons:

            (a)   Consultation   and   assistance   in   the   development   and
      implementation of Recipient's  corporate  business  strategies,  plans and
      objectives; and

            (b) Such other  services as may be requested by Recipient  from time
      to time.

This  Agreement  does not apply to and the  Services  provided for herein do not
include any services that Harold C. Simmons may provide to Recipient in his role
as a director on  Recipient's  Board of Directors,  as Chairman of such Board of
Directors or any other activity related to such Board of Directors.


                                      1





      Section 2. Miscellaneous  Services. It is the intent of the parties hereto
that Contran provide only the Services requested by Recipient in connection with
routine  functions  related to the ongoing  operations of Recipient and not with
respect to special projects,  including corporate investments,  acquisitions and
divestitures.  The parties  hereto  contemplate  that the  Services  rendered in
connection with the conduct of Recipient's  business will be on a scale compared
to that existing on the effective date of this Agreement,  adjusted for internal
corporate  growth or contraction,  but not for major  corporate  acquisitions or
divestitures,  and  that  adjustments  may be  required  to the  terms  of  this
Agreement in the event of such major  corporate  acquisitions,  divestitures  or
special  projects.  Recipient will continue to bear all other costs required for
outside  services  including,  but not  limited  to,  the  outside  services  of
attorneys, auditors, trustees, consultants,  transfer agents and registrars, and
it is expressly understood that Contran assumes no liability for any expenses or
services  other than those  stated in Section 1. In  addition to the fee paid to
Contran by  Recipient  for the  Services  provided  pursuant to this  Agreement,
Recipient  will pay to Contran  the amount of  out-of-pocket  costs  incurred by
Contran in rendering such Services.

      Section 3. Fee for Services.  Recipient  agrees to pay to Contran $125,000
quarterly, commencing as of January 1, 1997, pursuant to this Agreement.

      Section 4. Original  Term.  Subject to the provisions of Section 5 hereof,
the original  term of this  Agreement  shall be from January 1, 1997 to December
31, 1997.

      Section  5.   Extensions.   This   Agreement   shall  be   extended  on  a
quarter-to-quarter  basis  after the  expiration  of its  original  term  unless
written  notification  is given by  Contran  or  Recipient  thirty  (30) days in
advance of the first day of each  successive  quarter or unless it is superseded
by a subsequent written agreement of the parties hereto.

      Section 6. Limitation of Liability.  In providing its Services  hereunder,
Contran  shall  have a duty  to act,  and to  cause  its  agents  to  act,  in a
reasonably  prudent  manner,  but  neither  Contran nor any  officer,  director,
employee or agent of Contran or its affiliates  shall be liable to Recipient for
any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss incurred by Recipient in
connection  with the  matter  to which  this  Agreement  relates,  except a loss
resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on the part of
Contran.

      Section  7.  Indemnification  of  Contran by  Recipient.  Recipient  shall
indemnify  and hold  harmless  Contran,  its  affiliates  and  their  respective
officers,  directors  and  employees  from  and  against  any  and  all  losses,
liabilities,  claims, damages, costs and expenses (including attorneys' fees and
other expenses of litigation) to which such party may become subject arising out
of the Services provided by Contran to Recipient  hereunder,  provided that such
indemnity  shall not protect  any person  against  any  liability  to which such
person would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith or
gross negligence on the part of such person.


                                      2




      Section 8. Further  Assurances.  Each of the parties  will make,  execute,
acknowledge and deliver such other instruments and documents,  and take all such
other actions,  as the other party may reasonably  request and as may reasonably
be required in order to effectuate  the purposes of this  Agreement and to carry
out the terms hereof.

      Section 9. Notices.  All communications  hereunder shall be in writing and
shall be addressed,  if intended for Contran,  to Three Lincoln Centre, 5430 LBJ
Freeway, Suite 1700, Dallas, Texas 75240,  Attention:  President,  or such other
address as it shall have furnished to Recipient in writing,  and if intended for
Recipient,  to Two  Greenspoint  Plaza,  16825  Northchase  Drive,  Suite  1200,
Houston,  Texas 77060,  Attention:  President or such other  address as it shall
have furnished to Contran in writing.

      Section 10.  Amendment and  Modification.  Neither this  Agreement nor any
term hereof may be  changed,  waived,  discharged  or  terminated  other than by
agreement in writing signed by the parties hereto.

      Section 11.  Successor and Assigns.  This Agreement  shall be binding upon
and  inure  to the  benefit  of  Contran  and  Recipient  and  their  respective
successors  and assigns,  except that neither  party may assign its rights under
this Agreement without the prior written consent of the other party.

      Section 12.  Governing  Law.  This  Agreement  shall be  governed  by, and
construed and interpreted in accordance with, the laws of the State of Texas.

      IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the parties  hereto have caused this Agreement to be
duly executed and delivered as of the date first above written.

                                       CONTRAN CORPORATION


                                       By: _____________________________________
                                           Steven L. Watson
                                           Vice President


                                       NL INDUSTRIES, INC.


                                       By: _____________________________________
                                           J. Landis Martin
                                           President and Chief Executive Officer



                                      3




                                                                  EXHIBIT 10.3

                      INTERCORPORATE SERVICES AGREEMENT

      This INTERCORPORATE SERVICES AGREEMENT (the "Agreement"),  effective as of
January 1, 1997,  amends and  supersedes  that certain  Intercorporate  Services
Agreement effective as of January 1, 1996 by and between VALHI, INC., a Delaware
corporation ("Valhi"), and NL INDUSTRIES, INC., a New Jersey corporation ("NL").

                                   Recitals

      A. NL desires to have the services of certain Valhi personnel and Valhi is
willing to provide such services under the terms of this Agreement.

      B. Valhi  desires to have the services of certain NL  personnel  and NL is
willing to provide such services under the terms of this Agreement.

      C. The costs of maintaining the additional  personnel necessary to perform
the functions  provided for by this Agreement would exceed the amount charged to
such  party  that is  contained  in the net fee set  forth in  Section 4 of this
Agreement  and that the terms of this  Agreement  are no less  favorable to each
party  than  could  otherwise  be  obtained  from a third  party for  comparable
services.

      D. Each  party  desires  to  continue  receiving  the  services  presently
provided  by the other  party and its  affiliates  and each  party is willing to
continue to provide such services under the terms of this Agreement.

                                  Agreement

      For and in  consideration  of the  mutual  premises,  representations  and
covenants  contained  in  this  Agreement,  and  for  other  good  and  valuable
consideration,  the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the
parties hereto mutually agree as follows:

      Section 1. Valhi  Services to be Provided.  Valhi agrees to make available
to NL,  upon  request,  the  following  services  (the "Valhi  Services")  to be
rendered by the internal staff of Valhi and affiliates of Valhi:

            (a)   Consultation   and   assistance   in   the   development   and
      implementation   of  NL's  corporate   business   strategies,   plans  and
      objectives;

            (b)  Consultation  and  assistance  in  management  and  conduct  of
      corporate affairs and corporate governance consistent with the charter and
      bylaws of NL;

            (c) Consultation and assistance in maintenance of financial  records
      and  controls,  including  preparation  and review of  periodic  financial
      statements and reports to be filed with public and regulatory entities and
      those  required to be prepared for financial  institutions  or pursuant to
      indentures and credit agreements;


                                      1





            (d)  Consultation and assistance in cash management and in arranging
      financing necessary to implement the business plans of NL;

            (e)    Consultation   and   assistance   in   tax   management   and
      administration,  including, without limitation,  preparation and filing of
      tax returns, tax reporting, examinations by government authorities and tax
      planning; and

            (f) Such other services as may be requested by NL from time to time.

      Section 2. NL  Services to be  Provided.  NL agrees to make  available  to
Valhi, upon request, the following services (the "NL Services," and collectively
with the Valhi Services, the "Services") to be rendered by the internal staff of
NL:

            (a) The services of Joseph S.  Compofelice  to act as Executive Vice
      President of Valhi,  which Valhi and NL agree shall involve  substantially
      such  time as has  been  allocated  in the  past  and is  currently  being
      devoted;

            (b) The  services of NL's  internal  audit  personnel  in  providing
      consultation  and  assistance in  performing  internal  audit  projects as
      requested from time to time; and

            (c) certain  administration and management  services with respect to
      Valhi's   insurance  and  risk  management   needs,   including,   without
      limitations, administration of Valhi's:

                  (i)   property and casualty insurance program,
                  (ii)  claims management program,
                  (iii) property loss control program, and

            (d) Such other  services as may be  requested  by Valhi from time to
      time.

      Section 3. Miscellaneous  Services. It is the intent of the parties hereto
that each  party to this  Agreement  provide  (a  "Providing  Party")  only such
Services as are requested by the other party (a "Receiving Party") in connection
with routine management,  financial and administrative  functions related to the
ongoing  operations  of the  Receiving  Party and not with  respect  to  special
projects,  including corporate investments,  acquisitions and divestitures.  The
parties hereto  contemplate  that the Services  rendered by a Providing Party in
connection  with the conduct of each  Receiving  Party's  business  will be on a
scale  compared  to that  existing  on the  effective  date  of this  Agreement,
adjusted  for  internal  corporate  growth  or  contraction,  but not for  major
corporate acquisitions or divestitures,  and that adjustments may be required to
the terms of this Agreement in the event of such major  corporate  acquisitions,
divestitures or special projects. Each Receiving Party will continue to bear all
other costs  required for outside  services  including,  but not limited to, the
outside services of attorneys, auditors, trustees, consultants,  transfer agents
and registrars, and it is expressly understood that each Providing Party assumes
no  liability  for any  expenses  or  services  other than those  stated in this
Agreement to be provided by such party.  In addition to the amounts charged to a
Receiving Party for Services provided pursuant to this Agreement, such Receiving
Party will pay the Providing Party the amount of out-of-pocket costs incurred by
the Providing Party in rendering such Services.


                                      2





      Section 4. Net Fee for  Services.  Valhi  agrees to pay to NL a net annual
fee of $138,000 payable in quarterly installments of $34,500 each, commencing as
of January 1, 1997,  pursuant to this  Agreement,  which net annual fee includes
reimbursements  of $20,000 for certain  insurance and risk  management  services
provided by NL to Valhi in 1996. In addition to the net annual fee:

            (a) Valhi shall pay to NL an additional amount equal to the sum of:

                  (i) the product of (x) $600, (y) the number of days devoted by
            NL's  internal  auditors  to  providing  NL  Services  described  in
            Subsection  2(b) and (z) the number of internal  auditors  providing
            such NL Services; and

                  (ii)  all related out-of-pocket expenses;

            (b)  Valhi  shall  pay to NL  additional  amounts  plus all  related
      out-of-pocket  costs, all as agreed to by the parties, for all NL Services
      provided under Subsection 2(d); and

            (c) NL shall  credit  or pay to Valhi  additional  amounts  plus all
      related  out-of-pocket  costs,  all as agreed to by the  parties,  for all
      Valhi Services provided under Subsection 1(f).

      Section 5. Original  Term.  Subject to the provisions of Section 6 hereof,
the original  term of this  Agreement  shall be from January 1, 1997 to December
31, 1997.

      Section  6.   Extensions.   This   Agreement   shall  be   extended  on  a
quarter-to-quarter  basis  after the  expiration  of its  original  term  unless
written  notification is given by Valhi or NL thirty (30) days in advance of the
first day of each successive  quarter or unless it is superseded by a subsequent
written agreement of the parties hereto.

      Section 7. Limitation of Liability. In providing Services hereunder,  each
Providing  Party shall have a duty to act,  and to cause its agents to act, in a
reasonably  prudent manner,  but no Providing  Party nor any officer,  director,
employee  or agent of such  party  nor or its  affiliates  shall be  liable to a
Receiving  Party for any error of  judgment  or  mistake  of law or for any loss
incurred  by the  Receiving  Party in  connection  with the matter to which this
Agreement relates,  except a loss resulting from willful misfeasance,  bad faith
or gross negligence on the part of the Providing Party.

      Section 8. Indemnification.  Each Receiving Party shall indemnify and hold
harmless the Providing  Party,  its  affiliates and their  respective  officers,
directors  and  employees  from and  against  any and all  losses,  liabilities,
claims,  damages,  costs  and  expenses  (including  attorneys'  fees and  other
expenses of litigation) to which such Providing Party may become subject arising
out of the Services  provided by such  Providing  Party to the  Receiving  Party
hereunder, provided that such indemnity shall not protect any person against any
liability to which such person  would  otherwise be subject by reason of willful
misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on the part of such person.


                                      3




      Section 9. Further  Assurances.  Each of the parties  will make,  execute,
acknowledge and deliver such other instruments and documents,  and take all such
other actions,  as the other party may reasonably  request and as may reasonably
be required in order to effectuate  the purposes of this  Agreement and to carry
out the terms hereof.

      Section 10. Notices. All communications  hereunder shall be in writing and
shall be addressed,  if intended for Valhi,  to Three Lincoln  Centre,  5430 LBJ
Freeway, Suite 1700, Dallas, Texas 75240,  Attention:  President,  or such other
address as it shall have furnished to NL in writing,  and if intended for NL, to
Two Greenspoint Plaza, 16825 Northchase Drive, Suite 1200, Houston, Texas 77060,
Attention:  President, or such other address as it shall have furnished to Valhi
in writing.

      Section 11.  Amendment and  Modification.  Neither this  Agreement nor any
term hereof may be  changed,  waived,  discharged  or  terminated  other than by
agreement in writing signed by the parties hereto.

      Section 12.  Successor and Assigns.  This Agreement  shall be binding upon
and inure to the  benefit of Valhi and NL and their  respective  successors  and
assigns,  except that neither  party may assign its rights under this  Agreement
without the prior written consent of the other party.

      Section 13.  Governing  Law.  This  Agreement  shall be  governed  by, and
construed and interpreted in accordance with, the laws of the State of Texas.

      IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the parties  hereto have caused this Agreement to be
duly executed and delivered as of the date first above written.

                                       VALHI, INC.


                                       By: _____________________________________
                                           Steven L. Watson
                                           Vice President

                                       NL INDUSTRIES, INC.


                                       By: _____________________________________
                                           J. Landis Martin
                                           President and Chief Executive Officer



                                      4




                                                                  EXHIBIT 10.4

                       INTERCORPORATE SERVICES AGREEMENT


      INTERCORPORATE  SERVICES AGREEMENT effective as of January 1, 1997, by and
between  Tremont  Corporation  ("Tremont"),  a  Delaware  corporation,   and  NL
Industries, Inc. ("NL"), a New Jersey corporation.

      WHEREAS,  Tremont desires that NL provide certain services to Tremont, and
NL is willing to provide such services to Tremont  pursuant to the terms of this
Agreement.

      NOW,  THEREFORE,  in  consideration of the premises and promises set forth
herein, the parties to this Agreement agree as follows:

      1.  Services  Provided.  NL will make  available to Tremont the  following
services (the "Services"):

            a.    certain administration and management services with respect to
                  Tremont's insurance and risk management needs, including:

                  (i)  management of claims (including insured and
                       self-insured workers compensation and
                       liability claims);
                  (ii) budgeting and related activities;
                  (iii)administration of Tremont's captive
                       insurance company;
                  (iv) coordination of property loss control
                       program; and
                  (v)  administration of Tremont's insurance program,  excluding
                       all employee benefit and welfare related programs.

            b.    certain administration and management services with respect to
                  Tremont's real properties and interests.

            c.    consultation  and  assistance  in  performing  internal  audit
                  projects, as requested.

            d.    certain executive secretarial and administrative services.

            e.    consultation    and   assistance   in   tax   management   and
                  administration, including, without limitation, preparation and
                  filing  of  tax  returns,   tax  reporting,   examinations  by
                  government authorities and tax planning.



                                      1





      2. Fees for Services  and  Reimbursement  of Expenses.  During the Term of
this  Agreement,  Tremont shall pay to NL an annual fee of $183,900 (the "Annual
Fee") for the  Services  described  in  paragraphs  1.a,  1.b, 1.d and 1.e above
payable in quarterly  installments as described  below,  plus all  out-of-pocket
expenses incurred in connection with the performance of such Services. The first
quarterly  installment  of the  Annual  Fee  shall be  $120,975  which  includes
reimbursements  of $100,000 for tax  services  provided by NL to Tremont and its
subsidiaries in 1996. Thereafter, each quarterly installment due hereunder shall
be $20,975. In addition,  Tremont will, within thirty (30) days after receipt of
an invoice (such invoices to occur no more frequently than once per month),  (A)
pay to NL an amount  equal to the  product of $600  multiplied  by the number of
days  devoted by NL's  internal  auditors to  providing  Services  described  in
paragraph  1.c  above  times the  number of  internal  auditors  providing  such
Services,  and (B) reimburse NL for all out-of-pocket expenses incurred by NL in
the performance of Services under this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
in the event that Tremont determines, in its sole discretion,  that it no longer
desires certain of the Services or NL determines,  in its sole discretion,  that
it no longer desires to provide certain of the Services,  then Tremont or NL, as
appropriate,  shall provide the other party with a ninety (90) day prior written
notice of cancellation  describing the Services to be terminated or discontinued
and  Tremont  and NL during  such  ninety-day  period  shall agree to a pro-rata
reduction  of the  fees  due  hereunder  for  such  terminated  or  discontinued
Services.

      3. Limitation of Liability. In providing Services hereunder, NL shall have
a duty to act, and to cause its agents to act, in a reasonably  prudent  manner,
but  neither  NL nor any  officer,  director,  employee  or agent of NL shall be
liable to Tremont or its  subsidiaries  for any error of  judgment or mistake of
law or for any loss incurred by Tremont or its  subsidiaries  in connection with
the  matters to which  this  Agreement  relates,  except a loss  resulting  from
willful  misfeasance,  bad faith or gross  negligence  on the part of NL or from
NL's reckless disregard of obligations and duties under this Agreement.

      4.  Indemnification  of NL by Tremont.  Tremont  shall  indemnify and hold
harmless NL, its  subsidiaries  and their  respective  officers,  directors  and
employees  from and against any and all losses,  liabilities,  claims,  damages,
costs and expenses (including  reasonable  attorneys' fees and other expenses of
litigation) to which such party may become subject  arising out of the provision
by NL to Tremont and its subsidiaries of any of the Services, provided that such
indemnity  shall not protect any such party  against any liability to which such
person would otherwise by subject by reason of willful  misfeasance,  bad faith,
gross negligence or reckless disregard of obligations and duties hereunder.

      5. Further Assurance. Each of the parties will make, execute,  acknowledge
and  deliver  such  other  instruments  and  documents,  and take all such other
actions,  as the other party may  reasonably  request and as may  reasonably  by
required in order to effectuate  the purposes of this Agreement and to carry out
the terms hereof.

      6. Notices. All communications  hereunder shall be in writing and shall be
addressed to:

           If to NL:         NL Industries, Inc.
                             16825 Northchase Drive, Suite 1200
                             Houston, Texas 77060
                             Attention:  General Counsel

           If to Tremont:    Tremont Corporation
                             1999 Broadway, Suite 4300
                             Denver, Colorado 80202
                             Attention:  General Counsel

           or such other address as the parties shall have specified in writing.


                                      2




      7. Amendment and Modification.  Neither this Agreement nor any item hereof
may be changed,  waived,  discharged  or  terminated  other than by agreement in
writing signed by the parties hereto.

      8.  Successors and Assigns.  This Agreement  shall inure to the benefit of
and be binding upon the respective successors and assigns of the parties hereto,
provided that this Agreement may not be assigned by either of the parties hereto
without the prior written consent of the other party.

      9.  Miscellaneous.  The  headings  contained  in  this  Agreement  are for
reference  purposes  only  and  shall  not  affect  in any  way the  meaning  or
interpretation  of  this  Agreement.   This  Agreement  constitutes  the  entire
agreement, and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings,  both written
and oral,  between the parties with respect to the subject matter  hereof.  This
Agreement  may be executed in one or more  counterparts,  each of which shall be
deemed an original,  and all of which together shall constitute one and the same
instrument.  This  Agreement  shall  be  governed  in  all  respects,  including
validity, interpretation and affect, by the laws of the State of Texas.

      10. Term of Agreement.  This Agreement shall be effective as of January 1,
1997,  and shall remain in effect for a term of one year until December 31, 1997
(the  "Term");  provided,   however,  the  Agreement  shall  be  extended  on  a
quarter-to-quarter  basis  after  the  expiration  of the  Term  unless  written
notification  is given by either  party thirty (30) days in advance of the first
day of each  successive  quarter or unless it is  terminated  or  succeeded by a
subsequent  written  agreement of the parties hereto.  Upon such  termination or
upon the  expiration  of this  Agreement,  the parties'  rights and  obligations
hereunder  shall  cease  and  terminate   except  with  respect  to  rights  and
obligations arising on or prior to the date of expiration or termination and the
rights and obligations arising under paragraph 4 above.

      IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the parties have duly executed this  Agreement as of
the ____  day of  ____________,  1997,  which  Agreement  will be  deemed  to be
effective as of January 1, 1997.

                                    NL INDUSTRIES, INC.


                                    By:________________________________
                                          Dennis G. Newkirk
                                          Vice President


                                    TREMONT CORPORATION


                                    By:________________________________
                                          J. Thomas Montgomery
                                          Vice President and Controller




                                      3




                                                                  EXHIBIT 10.5

                       INTERCORPORATE SERVICES AGREEMENT


      This INTERCORPORATE SERVICES AGREEMENT (the "Agreement") is made effective
as of January 1, 1997, by and between Titanium Metals Corporation  ("TIMET"),  a
Delaware corporation, and NL Industries, Inc. ("NL"), a New Jersey corporation.

      WHEREAS, TIMET desires that NL provide certain insurance, risk management,
loss control,  internal audit, tax, and executive secretarial and administrative
services to TIMET, as set forth in this Agreement.

      NOW,  THEREFORE,  in  consideration of the premises and promises set forth
herein and for other good and valuable consideration the receipt and sufficiency
of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties to this Agreement agree as follows:

      1. Services Provided. NL will make available to TIMET and its subsidiaries
the following services (the "Services"):

            (a)   certain administration and management services with respect to
                  TIMET's insurance and risk management needs, including:

                  (i)   management of claims (including insured and self-insured
                        workers compensation and liability claims);

                  (ii)  budgeting and related activities;

                  (iii) coordination of property loss control program; and

                  (iv)  administration of TIMET's insurance  program,  excluding
                        all employee benefit and welfare related programs.

            (b)   consultation  and  assistance  in  performing  internal  audit
                  projects, as requested.

            (c)   consultation    and   assistance   in   tax   management   and
                  administration, including, without limitation, preparation and
                  filing  of  tax  returns,   tax  reporting,   examinations  by
                  government authorities and tax planning.

            (d)   certain executive secretarial and administrative services.

      2. Fees for Services and  Reimbursement  of Expenses.  During the Term (as
defined below) of the Agreement, TIMET shall pay to NL an annual fee of $305,100
for the Services  described in paragraphs  1(a), 1(c), and 1(d) above payable in
quarterly  installments of $76,275 plus all  out-of-pocket  expenses incurred in
connection  with the  performance  of such  Services.  In  addition,  during the
Initial Term and each Subsequent  Term,  TIMET will pay to NL within thirty (30)
days after receipt of an invoice (such invoices to occur no more frequently than
once per month) an amount equal to the product of $600  multiplied by the number
of days devoted by NL's  internal  auditors to providing  Services  described in
paragraph  1(b)  above  times the number of  internal  auditors  providing  such
Services plus all  out-of-pocket  expenses  incurred in the  performance of such
Services;  provided,  however,  in the event that TIMET determines,  in its sole
discretion,  that it no longer desires certain of the Services or NL determines,
in its sole discretion, that it no longer desires to provide certain of the

                                      1





Services, then TIMET or NL, as appropriate, shall provide the other party with a
ninety (90) day prior written notice of cancellation  describing the Services to
be terminated or  discontinued  and TIMET and NL during such  ninety-day  period
shall  agree  to a  pro-rata  reduction  of the  fees  due  hereunder  for  such
terminated or discontinued Services.

      3. Limitation of Liability. In providing Services hereunder, NL shall have
a duty to act, and to cause its agents to act, in a reasonably  prudent  manner,
but  neither  NL nor any  officer,  director,  employee  or agent of NL shall be
liable to TIMET or its  subsidiaries for any error of judgment or mistake of law
or for any loss incurred by TIMET or its  subsidiaries  in  connection  with the
matters to which this  Agreement  relates,  except a loss resulting from willful
misfeasance,  bad  faith or  gross  negligence  on the  part of NL or from  NL's
reckless disregard of obligations and duties under this Agreement.

      4. Indemnification of NL by TIMET. TIMET shall indemnify and hold harmless
NL, its subsidiaries and their respective officers, directors and employees from
and against any and all losses, liabilities, claims, damages, costs and expenses
(including reasonable attorneys' fees and other expenses of litigation) to which
such party may become  subject  arising out of the  provision by NL to TIMET and
its subsidiaries of any of the Services,  provided that such indemnity shall not
protect  any such  party  against  any  liability  to which  such  person  would
otherwise  be  subject  by reason  of  willful  misfeasance,  bad  faith,  gross
negligence or reckless disregard of obligations and duties hereunder.

      5. Further Assurance. Each of the parties will make, execute,  acknowledge
and  deliver  such  other  instruments  and  documents,  and take all such other
actions,  as the other party may  reasonably  request and as may  reasonably  by
required in order to effectuate  the purposes of this Agreement and to carry out
the terms hereof.

      6. Notices. All communications  hereunder shall be in writing and shall be
addressed to:

           If to NL:         NL Industries, Inc.
                             16825 Northchase Drive, Suite 1200
                             Houston, Texas 77060
                             Attention:  General Counsel

           If to TIMET:      Titanium Metals Corporation
                             1999 Broadway, Suite 4300
                             Denver, Colorado 80202
                             Attention:  General Counsel

           or such other address as the parties shall have specified in writing.

      7. Amendment and Modification.  Neither this Agreement nor any item hereof
may be changed,  waived,  discharged  or  terminated  other than by agreement in
writing signed by the parties hereto.

      8.  Successors and Assigns.  This Agreement  shall inure to the benefit of
and be binding upon the respective successors and assigns of the parties hereto,
provided that this Agreement may not be assigned by either of the parties hereto
without the prior written consent of the other party.

      9.  Miscellaneous.  The  headings  contained  in  this  Agreement  are for
reference  purposes  only  and  shall  not  affect  in any  way the  meaning  or
interpretation  of  this  Agreement.   This  Agreement  constitutes  the  entire
agreement, and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings,  both written
and oral,  between the parties with respect to the subject matter  hereof.  This
Agreement  may be executed in one or more  counterparts,  each of which shall be
deemed an original,  and all of which together shall constitute one and the same
instrument. This

                                      2





Agreement shall be governed in all respects, including validity,  interpretation
and affect, by the laws of the State of Texas.

      10. Term of Agreement.  This Agreement shall be effective as of January 1,
1997,  and shall  remain in effect for one year  until  December  31,  1997 (the
"Term");   provided,   however,   the   Agreement   shall  be   extended   on  a
quarter-to-quarter  basis  after  the  expiration  of the  Term  unless  written
notification  is given by either  party thirty (30) days in advance of the first
day of each  successive  quarter or unless it is  terminated  or superseded by a
subsequent  written  agreement of the parties hereto.  Upon such  termination or
upon the  expiration  of this  Agreement,  the parties'  rights and  obligations
hereunder  shall  cease  and  terminate   except  with  respect  to  rights  and
obligations arising on or prior to the date of expiration or termination and the
rights and obligations arising under paragraph 4 above.

      IN  WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the  parties  have  duly  executed  this  Agreement
effective as of the _____ day of  ____________,  1997,  which  Agreement will be
deemed to be effective as of January 1, 1997.

                                    NL INDUSTRIES, INC.


                                    By:____________________________________
                                          Dennis G. Newkirk
                                          Vice President


                                    TITANIUM METALS CORPORATION


                                    By:____________________________________
                                          J. Thomas Montgomery
                                          Vice President - Finance and Treasurer

                                      3





 

5 THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM NL INDUSTRIES INC.'S CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1997, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. 1,000 3-MOS DEC-31-1997 JAN-01-1997 MAR-31-1997 77,662 0 151,844 2,699 194,033 444,722 913,526 472,279 1,141,368 224,506 746,605 0 0 8,355 (245,550) 1,141,368 239,476 241,718 185,035 185,035 0 0 18,958 (33,421) 2,292 (35,721) 0 0 0 (35,721) (0.70) (0.70)