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                                  PRESS RELEASE

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:                CONTACT:

VALHI, INC.                           Bobby D. O'Brien
Three Lincoln Centre                  Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
5430 LBJ Freeway, Suite 1700          (972) 233-1700
Dallas, Texas 75240-2697


                    VALHI ANNOUNCES STOCK REPURCHASE PROGRAM

         DALLAS,  TEXAS . . .  April  1,  2005 . . .  Valhi,  Inc.  (NYSE:  VHI)
announced  today that its board of directors has authorized the repurchase of up
to 5.0  million  shares of Valhi's  common  stock in open  market  transactions,
including block purchases,  or in privately negotiated  transactions,  which may
include  transactions  with  affiliates  of Valhi.  The  shares  subject  to the
repurchase program represent approximately 4.2% of Valhi's 120 million shares of
common stock outstanding. The stock may be purchased from time to time as market
conditions permit.

         The stock repurchase program does not include specific price targets or
timetables and may be suspended at any time. The share  repurchase  program will
be conducted in compliance with all applicable state and federal laws. Depending
on market conditions, the program could be terminated prior to completion. Valhi
will use its cash on hand to acquire  the  shares.  Repurchased  shares  will be
retired and cancelled or may be added to Valhi's  treasury and could be used for
employee benefit plans, future acquisitions or other corporate purposes.

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

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