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                                  PRESS RELEASE

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:                           CONTACT:

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


                  VALHI ANNOUNCES STOCK REPURCHASE PROGRAM AND
                           DECLARES QUARTERLY DIVIDEND

     DALLAS,  TEXAS  . . .  November  1,  2006 . . .  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 this new
repurchase  program are in addition to the 5.0 million share repurchase  program
Valhi announced on April 1, 2005 under which approximately 620,000 shares remain
available for repurchase.  As October 31, 2006, the  approximately  5.62 million
shares  available for repurchase  under both repurchase  plans represent 4.9% of
Valhi's  115.2  million  shares of common  stock  outstanding.  The stock may be
purchased from time to time as market conditions permit.

     The new stock repurchase program does not include specific price targets or
timetables and may be suspended at any time. This stock 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 also  announced  that its board of  directors  has declared a regular
quarterly  dividend of ten cents ($0.10) per share on its common stock,  payable
on  December  29,  2006 to  stockholders  of record at the close of  business on
December 8, 2006.

     Valhi, Inc. is engaged in the titanium dioxide pigments, component products
(security  products,  furniture  components and performance marine  components),
titanium metals products and waste management industries.

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