KRONOS WORLDWIDE INC - Annual Report: 2008 (Form 10-K)

kwi10k08.htm

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K
X
Annual Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934:
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008
Commission file number 1-31763

KRONOS WORLDWIDE, INC.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

DELAWARE	76-0294959
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)	(IRS Employer Identification No.)

5430 LBJ Freeway, Suite 1700
Dallas, Texas 75240-2697
(Address of principal executive offices)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (972) 233-1700

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class	Name of each exchange on which registered
Common stock ($.01 par value)	New York Stock Exchange

No securities are registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act.

Indicate by check mark:

If the Registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes No X

If the Registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes No X

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) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes X No

If disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of Registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. Yes No X

Whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Large accelerated filer Accelerated filer Non-accelerated filer X Smaller reporting company

Whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes No X

The aggregate market value of the 2.3 million shares of voting stock held by nonaffiliates of Kronos Worldwide, Inc. as of June 30, 2008 (the last business day of the Registrant's most recently-completed second fiscal quarter) approximated $34.7 million.

As of February 27, 2009, 48,960,049 shares of the Registrant's common stock were outstanding.

Documents incorporated by reference

The information required by Part III is incorporated by reference from the Registrant's definitive proxy statement to be filed with the Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A not later than 120 days after the end of the fiscal year covered by this report.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Part I		Page

Item 1.	Business	4
Item 1A.	Risk Factors	11
Item 1B.	Unresolved Staff comments	13
Item 2.	Properties	13
Item 3.	Legal Proceedings	14
Item 4.	Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders	14

Part II

Item 5.	Market for our Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters	15
Item 6.	Selected Financial Data	17
Item 7.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation	18
Item 7A.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk	38
Item 8.	Financial Statements and Supplementary Data	40
Item 9.	Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosures	40
Item 9A.	Controls and Procedures	40
Item 9B.	Other Information	42

Part III

Item 10.	Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance*	42
Item 11.	Executive Compensation*	42
Item 12.	Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters*	42
Item 13.	Certain Relationships and Related Transactions and Director Independence*	42
Item 14.	Principal Accounting Fees and Services*	42

Part IV

Item 15.	Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules	43

Signatures


* All or a portion of the information required by this Item is included in this Form 10-K through incorporation by reference to the Registrant’s Proxy Statement for our May 14, 2009 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

Forward-Looking Information

This report includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any statement in this report that is not a statement of historical fact may be deemed to be a forward-looking statement. Because these forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. We do not intend to assume any duty to update or revise any forward-looking statements for new information, future events or otherwise.

Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "believes," "intends," "may," "should," "could," "anticipates," "expected" or comparable terminology, or by discussions of strategies or trends. Although we believe the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot give assurances that these expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements involve substantial risks and uncertainties which could significantly impact expected results, and actual results could differ materially from those described. It is not possible to identify all of the risks and uncertainties we face that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in this report. But, we have included discussion on the following most significant risk factors in Item 1A of this document:

·	Future supply and demand for our products

·	The extent of the dependence of certain of our businesses on certain market sectors

·	The cyclicality of our businesses

·	Customer inventory levels (such as the extent to which our customers may, from time to time, accelerate purchases of TiO2 in advance of anticipated price increases or defer purchases of TiO2 in advance of anticipated price decreases)

·	Changes in raw material and other operating costs (such as energy costs)

·	General global economic and political conditions (such as changes in the level of gross domestic product in various regions of the world and the impact of such changes on demand for TiO2)

·	Competitive products and substitute products

·	Customer and competitor strategies

·	Potential consolidation or solvency of our competitors

·	The impact of pricing and production decisions

·	Competitive technology positions

·	Possible disruption of our business or increases in the cost of doing business resulting from terrorist activities or global conflicts

·	The introduction of trade barriers

·	Fluctuations in currency exchange rates (such as changes in the exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and each of the euro, the Norwegian kroner and the Canadian dollar)

·	Operating interruptions (including, but not limited to, labor disputes, leaks, natural disasters, fires, explosions, unscheduled or unplanned downtime and transportation interruptions)

·	The timing and amounts of insurance recoveries

·	Our ability to renew or refinance credit facilities

·	Our ability to maintain sufficient liquidity

·	The ultimate outcome of income tax audits, tax settlement initiatives or other tax matters

·	The ultimate ability to utilize income tax attributes, the benefits of which have been recognized under the more-likely-than-not recognition criteria

·	Environmental matters (such as those requiring compliance with emission and discharge standards for existing and new facilities)

·	Government laws and regulations and possible changes therein

·	The ultimate resolution of pending litigation

·	Possible future litigation

Should one or more of these risks materialize (or the consequences of such a development worsen), or should the underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results could differ materially from those forecasted or expected. We disclaim any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of changes in information, future events or otherwise.

ITEM 1. BUSINESS

General

Kronos Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: KRO), a Delaware corporation, is a leading global producer and marketer of value-added titanium dioxide pigments ("TiO2"). We, along with our distributors and agents, sell and provide technical services for our products to over 4,000 customers in approximately 100 countries with the majority of sales in Europe and North America. We believe that we have developed considerable expertise and efficiency in the manufacture, sale, shipment and service of our products in domestic and international markets.

TiO2 is an inorganic pigment used to impart whiteness, brightness and opacity for products such as coatings, plastics, paper, fibers, food, ceramics and cosmetics. TiO2 is considered a “quality-of-life” product with demand and growth affected by gross domestic product and overall economic conditions in our markets in various parts of the world. TiO2 derives its value from its whitening properties and hiding power (opacity), which is the ability to cover or mask other materials effectively and efficiently. TiO2 is the largest commercially used whitening pigment because it has a high refractive rating giving it more hiding power than any other commercially produced white pigment. In addition, TiO2 has excellent resistance to interaction with other chemicals, good thermal stability and resistance to ultraviolet degradation. We ship TiO2 to our customers in either a powder or slurry form via rail, truck or ocean carrier. We, including our predecessors, have produced and marketed TiO2 in North America and Europe for over 80 years.

We believe that we are the second largest producer of TiO2 in Europe with an estimated 19% share of European TiO2 sales volume. Approximately one-half of our 2008 sales volumes was attributable to markets in Europe. We have an estimated 16% share of North American TiO2 sales volume. Per capita utilization of TiO2 in the United States and Western Europe far exceeds that of other areas in the world. We expect these markets to continue to be the largest consumers of TiO2 for the foreseeable future. It is probable that significant markets for TiO2 could emerge in other areas of the world. China continues to develop into a significant market and as its economy continues to mature it is probable that quality-of-life products, including TiO2, will experience greater demand in that country. In addition, growth in recent years in Eastern Europe and the Far East has been significant as the economies in these regions continue developing to the point that quality-of-life products, including TiO2, experience greater demand.

Sales of TiO2 were about 90% of our net sales in 2008. The remaining 10% of net sales is made up of other product lines that are complementary to TiO2. These other products are described as follows:

We own and operate an ilmenite mine in Norway pursuant to a governmental concession with an unlimited term, and we are currently excavating a second mine located near the first mine. Ilmenite is a raw material used directly as a feedstock by some sulfate-process TiO2 plants, including all of our European sulfate-process plants. We also sell ilmenite ore to third-parties, some of whom are our competitors. The mines have estimated aggregate reserves that are expected to last for at least another 60 years.

We manufacture and sell iron-based chemicals, which are co-products and processed co-products of sulfate and chloride process TiO2 pigment production. These co-product chemicals are marketed through our Ecochem division, and are used primarily as treatment and conditioning agents for industrial effluents and municipal wastewater as well as in the manufacture of iron pigments, cement and agricultural products.

We manufacture and sell titanium oxychloride and titanyl sulfate, which are side-stream products from the production of TiO2. Titanium oxychloride is used in specialty applications in the formulation of pearlescent pigments, production of electroceramic capacitors for cell phones and other electronic devices. Titanyl sulfate products are used primarily in pearlescent pigments.

At December 31, 2008, approximately 59% of our common stock was owned by Valhi, Inc. (NYSE: VHI) and approximately 36% was owned by NL Industries (NYSE: NL). Valhi also owns 83% of NL Industries’ outstanding common stock. Subsidiaries of Contran Corporation held approximately 94% of Valhi’s outstanding common stock. Substantially all of Contran Corporation’s outstanding voting stock is held by trusts established for the benefit of certain descendants of Harold C. Simmons (of which Mr. Simmons is trustee), or is held by persons or other entities related to Mr. Simmons. Consequently, Mr. Simmons may be deemed to control all of these companies.

Manufacturing and operation

We currently produce over 40 different TiO2 grades under the KronosTM trademark which provide a variety of performance properties to meet customers’ specific requirements. Our major customers include domestic and international paint, plastics and paper manufacturers.

Extenders, such as kaolin clays, calcium carbonate and polymeric opacifiers, are used in a number of the same end-use markets as white pigments. However, the opacity in these products is not able to duplicate the performance characteristics of TiO2, therefore we believe these products are not effective substitutes for TiO2.

We produce TiO2 in two crystalline forms: rutile and anatase. Rutile TiO2 is manufactured using both a chloride production process and a sulfate production process, whereas anatase TiO2 is only produced using a sulfate production process. Chloride process rutile is preferred for the majority of customer applications. From a technical standpoint, chloride process rutile has a bluer undertone and higher durability than sulfate process rutile. Although many end-use applications can use either form, chloride process rutile is the preferred form for use in coatings and plastics, the two largest end-use markets. Sulfate process anatase represents a much smaller percentage of annual global TiO2 production and is preferred for use in selected paper, ceramics, rubber tires, man-made fibers, food and cosmetics.

Chloride production process. Approximately three-fourths of our current production capacity is based on the chloride process. The chloride process is a continuous process in which chlorine is used to extract rutile TiO2. The chloride process typically has lower manufacturing costs than the sulfate process due to newer technology, higher yield, less waste, lower energy requirements and lower labor costs. The chloride process produces less waste than the sulfate process because much of the chlorine is recycled and feedstock bearing a higher titanium content is used.

Sulfate production process. The sulfate process is a batch chemical process that uses sulfuric acid to extract both rutile and anatase TiO2.

Once an intermediate TiO2 pigment has been produced by either the chloride or sulfate process, it is “finished” into products with specific performance characteristics for particular end-use applications through proprietary processes involving various chemical surface treatments and intensive micronizing (milling). Due to environmental factors and customer considerations, the proportion of TiO2 industry sales represented by chloride process pigments has increased relative to sulfate process pigments and, in 2008, chloride process production facilities represented approximately 60% of industry capacity.

We produced 514,000 metric tons of TiO2 in 2008, up from the 512,000 metric tons we produced in 2007. Such production amounts include our 50% interest in the TiO2 manufacturing joint-venture discussed below. Our average production capacity utilization rates were near full capacity in 2006, 2007 and 2008. Our production capacity has increased by approximately 30% over the past ten years due to debottlenecking programs, with only moderate capital expenditures. We believe that our annual attainable production capacity for 2009 is approximately 532,000 metric tons; however, we do expect that our production volumes in 2009 will be significantly lower than our attainable capacity. See Outlook in Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

Raw Materials

The primary raw materials used in chloride process TiO2 are titanium-containing feedstock (natural rutile ore or purchased slag), chlorine and coke. Chlorine and coke are available from a number of suppliers. Titanium-containing feedstock suitable for use in the chloride process is available from a limited but increasing number of suppliers principally in Australia, South Africa, Canada, India and the United States. We purchase chloride process grade slag from Rio Tinto Iron and Titanium under a long-term supply contract that expires at the end of 2011. We purchase natural rutile ore primarily from Iluka Resources, Limited under a long-term supply contract that expires at the end of 2009. We expect to be successful in obtaining long-term extensions to these and other existing supply contracts prior to their expiration. We expect the raw materials purchased under these contracts to meet our chloride process feedstock requirements over the next several years.

The primary raw materials used in sulfate process TiO2 are titanium-containing feedstock (primarily ilmenite from our Norwegian mine or purchased slag) and sulfuric acid. Sulfuric acid is available from a number of suppliers. Titanium-containing feedstock suitable for use in the sulfate process is available from a limited number of suppliers principally in Norway, Canada, Australia, India and South Africa. As one of the few vertically- integrated producers of sulfate process TiO2 we own and operate a rock ilmenite mine in Norway, which provided all of the feedstock for our European sulfate process TiO2 plants in 2008. We expect ilmenite production from our mine to meet our European sulfate process feedstock requirements for the foreseeable future. For our Canadian sulfate process plant, we also purchase sulfate grade slag primarily from Q.I.T. Fer et Titane Inc. (also a subsidiary of Rio Tinto Iron and Titanium), under a long-term supply contract that expires at the end of 2009 and Tinfos Titan and Iron KS under a supply contract that expires in 2010. We expect the raw materials purchased under these contracts to meet our sulfate process feedstock requirements over the next few years.

Many of our raw material contracts contain fixed quantities we are required to purchase, although these contracts allow for an upward or downward adjustment in the quantity purchased. The pricing under these agreements is generally negotiated annually.

The following table summarizes our raw materials purchased or mined in 2008.

Production Process/Raw Material	Raw Materials Procured or Mined
	(In thousands of metric tons)

Chloride process plants:
Purchased slag or natural rutile ore	422

Sulfate process plants:
Raw ilmenite ore mined & used internally	305
Purchased slag	30

TiO2 manufacturing joint venture

We hold a 50% interest in a manufacturing joint venture with Huntsman Corporation (Huntsman). The joint venture owns and operates a chloride process TiO2 facility located in Lake Charles, Louisiana. We share production from the plant equally with Huntsman pursuant to separate offtake agreements.

A supervisory committee directs the business and affairs of the joint venture, including production and output decisions. This committee is composed of four members, two of whom we appoint and two of whom Huntsman appoints. Two general managers manage the operations of the joint venture acting under the direction of the supervisory committee. We appoint one general manager and Huntsman appoints the other.

We are required to purchase one-half of the TiO2 produced by the joint venture. The joint venture is not consolidated in our financial statements, because we do not control it. We account for our interest in the joint venture by the equity method. The joint venture operates on a break-even basis, and therefore we do not have any equity in earnings of the joint venture. We share all costs and capital expenditures of the joint venture equally with Huntsman with the exception of raw material and packaging costs for the pigment grades produced. Our share of the net costs is reported as cost of sales as the related TiO2 is sold. See Notes 6 and 13 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Competition

The TiO2 industry is highly competitive. Our principal competitors are E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Co.; Millennium Inorganic Chemicals, Inc. (a subsidiary of National Titanium Dioxide Company Ltd. (Cristal)); Tronox Incorporated; Huntsman; and Ishihara Sangyo Kaisha, Ltd. These competitors have estimated individual shares of TiO2 production capacity ranging from 4% (for Ishihara) to 22% (for DuPont), and an estimated aggregate share of worldwide TiO2 production volume in excess of 60%. DuPont has about one-half of total North American TiO2 production capacity and is our principal North American competitor. Tronox filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in January 2009, and it is unclear how and to what extent Tronox or a successor will compete in the TiO2 industry at the conclusion of Tronox’s bankruptcy proceedings.

We compete primarily on the basis of price, product quality, technical service and the availability of high-performance pigment grades. Although certain TiO2 grades are considered specialty pigments, the majority of our grades and substantially all of our production are considered commodity pigments with price generally being the most significant competitive factor. We believe that we are the leading seller of TiO2 in several countries, including Germany, with an estimated 11% share of worldwide TiO2 sales volume in 2008. Overall, we are the world’s fifth-largest producer of TiO2.

Over the past ten years, we and our competitors have increased industry capacity through debottlenecking projects. Given the current economic environment and reduced industry demand, we do not expect any significant efforts will be undertaken by us or our competitors to further increase capacity through such projects for the foreseeable future. In addition, Huntsman announced the closure of one of its European facilities. We believe further shutdowns or closures in the industry are possible. Even with these reductions in industry capacity, capacity utilization rates by us and our competitors are expected to be lower in 2009 as compared to 2008 as a response to a reduction in industry-wide demand, which in turn will result in downward pressure on average TiO2 selling prices. Once the economic environment improves and industry-wide demand increases, the expected reduction in industry-wide capacity through plant shutdowns should have a favorable impact on production capacity utilization, selling prices and profitability. However, the volatility of the near term economic environment makes it difficult to forecast future demand. If actual developments differ from our expectations, ours and the TiO2 industry's performances could continue to be unfavorably affected longer than expected.

Worldwide capacity additions in the TiO2 market resulting from construction of new plants require significant capital expenditures and substantial lead time (typically three to five years in our experience). We are not aware of any TiO2 plants currently under construction, and we believe it is not likely that any new plants will be constructed in the foreseeable future.

Research and development

Our research and development activities are directed primarily at improving the chloride and sulfate production processes, improving product quality and strengthening our competitive position by developing new pigment applications. Our research and development activities are conducted at our Leverkusen, Germany facility. Our expenditures for research and development and certain technical support programs were approximately $11 million in 2006 and $12 million in each of 2007 and 2008. We plan to scale back our research and development activities in 2009 due to the current adverse economic environment; consequently our research and development expenditures in 2009 are expected to be lower as compared to recent history.

We continually seek to improve the quality of our grades and have been successful at developing new grades for existing and new applications to meet the needs of customers and increase product life cycle. Since 2002, we have added over 15 new grades for plastics, coatings, fibers and paper laminate applications.

Patents and trademarks

We believe that our patents held for products and production processes are important to us and our continuing business activities. We seek patent protection for our technical developments, principally in the United States, Canada and Europe, and from time to time we enter into licensing arrangements with third parties. Our existing patents generally have terms of 20 years from the date of filing, and have remaining terms ranging from 1 to 19 years. We seek to protect our intellectual property rights, including our patent rights, and from time to time are engaged in disputes relating to the protection and use of intellectual property relating to our products.

Our trademarks, including Kronos, are protected by registration in the United States and elsewhere with respect to those products we manufacture and sell. We also rely on unpatented proprietary knowledge and continuing technological innovation, and other trade secrets to develop and maintain our competitive position. Our proprietary chloride production process is an important part of our technology, and our business could be harmed if we fail to maintain confidentiality of our trade secrets used in this technology.

Major customers

We sell to a diverse customer base, and no single customer made up more than 10% of our sales for 2008. Our largest ten customers accounted for approximately 27% of sales in 2008.

Seasonality

Neither our business as a whole nor that of any of our principal product groups is seasonal to any significant extent. However, TiO2 sales are generally higher in the first half of the year. This is due in part to the increase in paint production in the spring to meet demand during the spring and summer painting season.

Employees

As of December 31, 2008, we employed the following number of people:

Europe	2,000
Canada	400
United States(1)	50
Total	2,450

(1)Excludes employees of our Louisiana joint venture.

Our hourly employees in production facilities worldwide, including the TiO2 joint venture, are represented by a variety of labor unions under labor agreements with various expiration dates. Our European Union employees are covered by master collective bargaining agreements in the chemicals industry that are generally renewed annually. Our Canadian union employees are covered by a collective bargaining agreement that expires in June 2010.

Regulatory and environmental matters

Our operations are governed by various environmental laws and regulations. Certain of our operations are, or have been, engaged in the handling, manufacture or use of substances or compounds that may be considered toxic or hazardous within the meaning of applicable environmental laws and regulations. As with other companies engaged in similar businesses, certain of our past and current operations and products have the potential to cause environmental or other damage. We have implemented and continue to implement various policies and programs in an effort to minimize these risks. Our policy is to maintain compliance with applicable environmental laws and regulations at all of our facilities and to strive to improve our environmental performance. It is possible that future developments, such as stricter requirements in environmental laws and enforcement policies, could adversely affect our production, handling, use, storage, transportation, sale or disposal of such substances and could adversely affect our consolidated financial position and results of operations or liquidity.

Our U.S. manufacturing operations are governed by federal environmental and worker health and safety laws and regulations. These primarily consist of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (“RCRA”), the Occupational Safety and Health Act, the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, the Safe Drinking Water Act, the Toxic Substances Control Act and the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, as amended by the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (“CERCLA”), as well as the state counterparts of these statutes. We believe the TiO2 plant owned by the joint venture and a TiO2 slurry facility owned by us in Lake Charles, Louisiana are in substantial compliance with applicable requirements of these laws or compliance orders issued thereunder. These are our only U.S. manufacturing facilities.

While the laws regulating operations of industrial facilities in Europe vary from country to country, a common regulatory framework is provided by the European Union (“EU”). Germany and Belgium are members of the EU and follow its initiatives. Norway is not a member but generally patterns its environmental regulatory actions after the EU. We believe we have obtained all required permits and are in substantial compliance with applicable environmental requirements for our European and Canadian facilities.

At our sulfate plant facilities in Germany, we recycle weak sulfuric acid either through contracts with third parties or at our own facilities. In addition, at our German locations we have a contract with a third-party to treat certain sulfate-process effluents. At our Norwegian plant, we ship spent acid to a third-party location where it is used as a neutralization agent. These contracts may be terminated by either party after giving three or four years advance notice, depending on the contract.

From time to time, our facilities may be subject to environmental regulatory enforcement under U.S. and non-U.S. statutes. Typically we establish compliance programs to resolve these matters. Occasionally, we may pay penalties. To date such penalties have not involved amounts having a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or liquidity. We believe that all of our facilities are in substantial compliance with applicable environmental laws.

In December 2006, the EU approved Registration, Evaluation and Authorization of Chemicals (“REACH”), which took effect on June 1, 2007 and will be phased in over 11 years. Under REACH, companies that manufacture or import more than one ton of a chemical substance per year will be required to register such chemical substances in a central data base. REACH affects our European operations by imposing a testing, evaluation and registration program for many of the chemicals we use or produce in Europe. We have established a REACH team that is working to identify and list all substances purchased, manufactured or imported by or for us in the EU. We spent $.4 million in 2007 and $.5 million in 2008 on REACH compliance, and we do not anticipate that future compliance costs will be material to us.

Capital expenditures in 2008 related to ongoing environmental compliance, protection and improvement programs were $11.9 million, and are currently expected to be approximately $1 million in 2009.

Website and other available information

Our fiscal year ends December 31. Our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and any amendments to those reports are available on our website at www.kronosww.com. These reports are available on the website, without charge, as soon as is reasonably practicable after we file or furnish them electronically with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Additional information regarding us, including our Audit Committee charter, Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and our Corporate Governance Guidelines, can also be found at this website. Information contained on our website is not part of this report. We will also provide free copies of such documents upon written request. Such requests should be directed to the Corporate Secretary at our address on the cover page of this Form 10-K.

The public may read and copy any materials we file with the SEC at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. The public may obtain information about the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. We are an electronic filer, and the SEC maintains an internet website that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC at www.sec.gov.

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

Below are certain risk factors associated with our business. In addition to the potential effect of these risk factors discussed below, any risk factor which could result in reduced earnings or operating losses, or reduced liquidity, could in turn adversely affect our ability to service our liabilities or pay dividends on our common stock or adversely affect the quoted market prices for our securities.

Demand for, and prices of, certain of our products are influenced by changing market conditions and we are currently operating in a depressed worldwide market for our products, which may result in reduced earnings or operating losses.

Approximately 90% of our revenues are attributable to sales of TiO2. Pricing within the global TiO2 industry over the long term is cyclical, and changes in economic conditions, especially in Western industrialized nations, can significantly impact our earnings and operating cash flows. The current world-wide economic downturn has depressed sales volumes in the fourth quarter of 2008, and we are unable to predict with a high degree of certainty when demand will return to the levels experienced prior to the fourth quarter of 2008. This may result in reduced earnings or operating losses.

Historically, the markets for many of our products have experienced alternating periods of increasing and decreasing demand. Relative changes in the selling prices for our products are one of the main factors that affect the level of our profitability. In periods of increasing demand, our selling prices and profit margins generally will tend to increase, while in periods of decreasing demand our selling prices and profit margins generally tend to decrease. Huntsman announced the closure of one if its European facilities, and we believe further shutdowns or closures in the industry are possible. The closures may not be sufficient to alleviate the current excess industry capacity and such conditions may be further aggravated by anticipated or unanticipated capacity additions or other events.

The demand for TiO2 during a given year is also subject to annual seasonal fluctuations. TiO2 sales are generally higher in the first half of the year. This is due in part to the increase in paint production in the spring to meet demand during the spring and summer painting season. See Item 7. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” for further discussion on production and price changes.

We sell several of our products in mature and highly-competitive industries and face price pressures in the markets in which we operate, which may result in reduced earnings or operating losses.

The global markets in which we operate our business are highly competitive. Competition is based on a number of factors, such as price, product quality and service. Some of our competitors may be able to drive down prices for our products because their costs are lower than our costs. In addition, some of our competitors' financial, technological and other resources may be greater than our resources, and such competitors may be better able to withstand changes in market conditions. Our competitors may be able to respond more quickly than we can to new or emerging technologies and changes in customer requirements. Further, consolidation of our competitors or customers may result in reduced demand for our products or make it more difficult for us to compete with our competitors. New competitors could emerge by modifying their existing production facilities so they could manufacture products that compete with our products. The occurrence of any of these events could result in reduced earnings or operating losses.

Higher costs or limited availability of our raw materials may reduce our earnings and decrease our liquidity.

The number of sources for and availability of, certain raw materials is specific to the particular geographical region in which a facility is located. For example, titanium-containing feedstocks suitable for use in our TiO2 facilities are available from a limited number of suppliers around the world. Political and economic instability in the countries from which we purchase our raw material supplies could adversely affect their availability. If our worldwide vendors were unable to meet their contractual obligations and we were unable to obtain necessary raw materials, we could incur higher costs for raw materials or may be required to reduce production levels. We may not always be able to increase our selling prices to offset the impact of any higher costs or reduced production levels, which could reduce our earnings and decrease our liquidity.

Negative global economic conditions increase the risk that we could suffer unrecoverable losses on our customers’ accounts receivable which would adversely affect our financial results.

We extend credit and payment terms to our customers. Although we have an ongoing process of evaluating customers’ financial condition, we could suffer significant losses if a customer fails and is unable to pay. A significant loss of an accounts receivable would have a negative impact on our results of operations, financial condition and liquidity.

Our leverage may impair our financial condition or limit our ability to operate our businesses.

We currently have a significant amount of debt. As of December 31, 2008, our total consolidated debt was approximately $638.5 million, which relates to Senior Secured Notes, a revolving credit facility of our wholly-owned subsidiary, Kronos International, Inc., a revolving credit facility of our U.S. subsidiary, and a note payable to affiliate. Our level of debt could have important consequences to our stockholders and creditors, including:

·	making it more difficult for us to satisfy our obligations with respect to our liabilities;

·	increasing our vulnerability to adverse general economic and industry conditions;

·	requiring that a portion of our cash flows from operations be used for the payment of interest on our debt, which reduces our ability to use our cash flow to fund working capital, capital expenditures, dividends on our common stock, acquisitions or general corporate requirements;

·	limiting our ability to obtain additional financing to fund future working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions or general corporate requirements;

·	limiting our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business and the industry in which we operate; and

·	placing us at a competitive disadvantage relative to other less leveraged competitors.

In addition to our indebtedness, we are party to various lease and other agreements pursuant to which, along with our indebtedness, we are committed to pay approximately $365.5 million in 2009. Our ability to make payments on and refinance our debt, and to fund planned capital expenditures, depends on our future ability to generate cash flow. To some extent, this is subject to general economic, financial, competitive, legislative, regulatory and other factors that are beyond our control. In addition, our ability to borrow funds under our subsidiaries’ credit facilities in the future will, in some instances, depend in part on these subsidiaries’ ability to maintain specified financial ratios and satisfy certain financial covenants contained in the applicable credit agreement. In this regard, we currently believe it is probable that one of our required financial ratios associated with our European credit facility will not be maintained at some point during 2009, most likely commencing at March 31, 2009. See Item 7. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Liquidity – Outstanding Debt Obligations and Borrowing Availability.”

Our business may not generate cash flows from operating activities sufficient to enable us to pay our debts when they become due and to fund our other liquidity needs. As a result, we may need to refinance all or a portion of our debt before maturity. We may not be able to refinance any of our debt in a timely manner on favorable terms, if at all in the current credit markets. Any inability to generate sufficient cash flows or to refinance our debt on favorable terms could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition.

ITEM 1B.

UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS.

None.

ITEM 2.

PROPERTIES

We currently operate six TiO2 facilities, two slurry facilities and an ilmenite mine at the following locations. We own all such facilities, unless otherwise indicated.

Location	Description
Leverkusen, Germany (1)	TiO2 production, chloride and sulfate process, co-products
Nordenham, Germany	TiO2 production, sulfate process, co-products
Langerbrugge, Belgium	TiO2 production, chloride process, co-products, titanium chemicals products
Fredrikstad, Norway (2)	TiO2 production, sulfate process, co-products
Varennes, Quebec, Canada	TiO2 production, chloride and sulfate process, slurry facility, titanium chemicals products
Lake Charles, Louisiana (3)	TiO2 production, chloride process
Lake Charles, Louisiana	Slurry facility
Hauge i Dalane, Norway (4)	Ilmenite mine

(1)

The Leverkusen facility is located within an extensive manufacturing complex owned by Bayer AG. We own the Leverkusen facility, which represents about one-third of our current TiO2 production capacity, but we lease the land under the facility from Bayer AG under a long term agreement which expires in 2050. Lease payments are periodically negotiated with Bayer for periods of at least two years at a time. Bayer provides some raw materials, including chlorine, auxiliary and operating materials, utilities and services necessary to operate the Leverkusen facility under separate supplies and services agreements.

(2)

The Fredrikstad plant is located on public land and is leased until 2013, with an option to extend the lease for an additional 50 years.

(3)

We operate this facility in a 50/50 joint venture with Huntsman. See Note 6 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

(4)

We are currently excavating a second mine located near our current mine in Norway.

Our corporate headquarters is located in Dallas, Texas. We have under lease various corporate and administrative offices located in the U.S. and various sales offices located in the U.S., France, the Netherlands and the U.K. The roads leading to our facilities are generally maintained by the applicable local government and are adequate for our purposes.

Information on our properties is incorporated by reference to Item 1: Business, Manufacturing and Operations above. See Note 14 to our Consolidated Financial Statements for information on our leases.

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

We are involved in various environmental, contractual, intellectual property, product liability and other claims and disputes incidental to our business. Information called for by this Item is incorporated by reference to Note 14 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

No matters were submitted to a vote of security holders during the quarter ended December 31, 2008.

PART II

ITEM 5.

MARKET FOR COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

Our common stock is listed and traded on the New York Stock Exchange (symbol: KRO). As of February 27, 2009, there were approximately 3,250 holders of record of common stock. The following table sets forth the high and low closing per share sales price for common stock for the periods indicated according to Bloomberg, and dividends paid during such periods. On February 27, 2009 the closing price of common stock was $5.25.

	High		Low		Cash dividends paid

Year ended December 31, 2007

First Quarter	$	37.08	$	30.67	$	.25
Second Quarter		37.07		25.25		.25
Third Quarter		28.97		18.35		.25
Fourth Quarter		21.79		15.50		.25

Year ended December 31, 2008

First Quarter		24.57		15.74		.25
Second Quarter		31.42		15.39		.25
Third Quarter		17.20		11.46		.25
Fourth Quarter		14.08		8.05		.25

January 1, 2009 through February 27, 2009		17.00		5.25		-

We paid four quarterly cash dividends of $.25 per share in 2007 and 2008. In February 2009, our Board of Directors decided to suspend our quarterly dividend after considering the challenges and opportunities that exist in the TiO2 pigment industry. Due to the current economic and financial conditions, we believe that it is prudent to maintain our liquidity and strengthen our balance sheet in order to take advantage of potential opportunities in the industry, including possible acquisitions of TiO2 pigment manufacturing facilities, if and when strategic opportunities arise. The declaration and payment of future dividends will be dependent upon the board's consideration of our results of operations, financial condition, cash requirements, contractual requirements and restrictions, strategic plans and other factors deemed relevant by the Board of Directors.

Performance graph

Set forth below is a line graph comparing the yearly change in our cumulative total stockholder return on our common stock against the cumulative total return of (a) the S&P Composite 500 Stock Index and (b) the S&P 500 Diversified Chemicals Index. The graph shows the value at December 31 of each year, assuming an original investment of $100 in each and reinvestment of cash dividends and other distributions to stockholders.

The information contained in the performance graph shall not be deemed “soliciting material” or “filed” with the SEC, or subject to the liabilities of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act, except to the extent we specifically request that the material be treated as soliciting material or specifically incorporate this performance graph by reference into a document filed under the Securities Act or the Securities Exchange Act.

Equity compensation plan information

We have an equity compensation plan, which was approved by our stockholders, which provides for the discretionary grant to our employees and directors of, among other things, options to purchase our common stock and stock awards. As of December 31, 2008, there were no options outstanding to purchase shares of our common stock, and approximately 133,000 shares were available for future grant or issuance. We do not have any equity compensation plans that were not approved by our stockholders. See Note 12 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

ITEM 6.

SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

The following selected financial data should be read in conjunction with our Consolidated Financial Statements and Item 7 - "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations."

	Years ended December 31,
	2004			2005			2006 (2)			2007			2008
	(In millions, except per share data and TiO2 operating statistics)

STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS DATA:
Net sales	$	1,128.6		$	1,196.7		$	1,279.4		$	1,310.3		$	1,316.9
Gross margin		261.2			327.5			310.5			251.4			220.6
Income from operations		113.8			176.0			143.2			84.9			47.2
Net income (loss)		314.1			71.5			82.0			(66.7	)		9.0
Net income (loss) per share		6.42			1.46			1.67			(1.36	)		.18
Cash dividends per share		1.00			1.00			1.00			1.00			1.00

BALANCE SHEET DATA (at year end):
Total assets	$	1,353.3		$	1,298.9		$	1,421.5		$	1,455.0		$	1,358.7
Notes payable and long-term debt including current maturities		533.2			465.3			536.2			606.2			638.5
Common stockholders’ equity		473.1			412.5			448.4			411.0			317.9

STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOW DATA:
Net cash provided (used) by:
Operating activities	$	151.0		$	97.8		$	71.9		$	90.0		$	2.7
Investing activities		(39.8	)		(39.7	)		(50.9	)		(47.4	)		(68.1	)
Financing activities		(108.8	)		(44.8	)		(35.0	)		(39.8	)		10.3

TiO2 OPERATING STATISTICS:
Sales volume(1)		500			478			511			519			478
Production volume(1)		484			492			516			512			514
Production capacity at beginning of year(1)		480			495			516			525			532
Production rate as a percentage of capacity	Full				99	%	Full				98	%		97	%

(1)	Metric tons in thousands

(2)	We adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 158 effective December 31, 2006. See Note 10 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

ITEM 7.

MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Business overview

We are a leading global producer and marketer of value-added TiO2. TiO2 is used for a variety of manufacturing applications, including plastics, paints, paper and other industrial products. For 2008, approximately one-half of our sales volumes was sold into European markets. We believe that we are the second largest producer of TiO2 in Europe with an estimated 19% share of European TiO2 sales volumes. In addition, we estimate that we have a 16% share of North American TiO2 sales volumes. Our production facilities are located throughout Europe and North America.

We consider TiO2 to be a “quality-of-life” product, with demand affected by gross domestic product and overall economic conditions in our markets located in various regions of the world. Over the long-term, we expect demand for TiO2 to grow by 2% to 3% per year. This is consistent with our expectations for the long-term growth in gross domestic product. However, demand for TiO2 in any interim or annual period may not change in the same proportion as the change in GDP even if we and our competitors maintain consistent shares of the worldwide market. This is due in part to relative changes in the TiO2 inventory levels of our customers. We believe that our customers’ inventory levels are partly influenced by their expectation for future changes in the market TiO2 selling prices.

The factors having the most impact on our reported income from operations are:

·	TiO2 selling prices,

·	Currency exchange rates (particularly the exchange rate for the U.S. dollar relative to the euro, Norwegian Krone and the Canadian dollar),

·	TiO2 sales and production volumes, and

·	Manufacturing costs, particularly maintenance and energy-related expenses.

Our key performance indicators are our TiO2 average selling prices, and our level of TiO2 sales and production volumes. TiO2 selling prices generally follow industry trends and prices will increase or decrease generally as a result of competitive market pressures.

In addition, our effective income tax rate in 2006, 2007 and 2008 has been impacted by certain favorable and unfavorable developments.

Executive Summary

We reported net income of $9.0 million, or $.18 per diluted share for 2008, compared to a net loss of $66.7 million, or $1.36 per diluted share for 2007. Our diluted earnings per share increased from 2007 to 2008 due primarily to the net effects of (i) an income tax benefit we recognized in 2008, (ii) lower income from operations in 2008 resulting principally from lower sales volumes and higher raw material and energy costs and (iii) the unfavorable effect of certain provisions for income taxes recognized in 2007.

We reported a net loss of $66.7 million, or $1.36 per diluted share, in 2007 compared to net income of $82.0 million, or $1.67 per diluted share, in 2006. Our diluted earnings per share decreased from 2006 to 2007 due primarily to the net effect of (i) lower income from operations in 2007, (ii) the unfavorable effect of certain provisions for income taxes recognized in 2007, (iii) the favorable effect of certain income tax benefits recognized in 2006 and (iv) a charge in 2006 from the redemption of our 8.875% Senior Secured Notes.

Net income for 2008 includes a $7.2 million income tax benefit ($.15 per diluted share) related to a European Court ruling that resulted in the favorable resolution of certain income tax issues in Germany and an increase in the amount of our German corporate and trade tax net operating loss carryforwards.

Net income for 2007 includes (i) a non-cash charge of $90.8 million ($1.85 per diluted share) relating to a decrease in our net deferred income tax asset in Germany resulting from the reduction in their income tax rates, (ii) a non-cash charge of $8.7 million ($.18 per diluted share) related to the adjustment of certain German income tax attributes and (iii) a $2.0 million income tax benefit ($.04 per diluted share) resulting from a net reduction in our reserve for uncertain tax positions.

Net income for 2006 includes (i) a charge related to the prepayment of our 8.875% Senior Secured Notes of $14.5 million, net of tax benefit, ($.30 per diluted share) and (ii) a net income tax benefit of $34.9 million ($.71 per diluted share related to the net effect of the withdrawal of certain income tax assessments previously made by the Belgian and Norwegian tax authorities, the resolution of certain income tax issues related to our German and Belgian operations and the enactment of a reduction in the Canadian federal income tax rate.

We currently expect income from operations will be lower in 2009 compared to 2008 primarily as a result of higher production costs due in part to significantly-reduced production volumes and the resulting unabsorbed fixed production costs and unfavorable currency effects. We currently expect to report a net loss in 2009 as compared to reporting net income in 2008 due to lower expected income from operations in 2009.

Critical accounting policies and estimates

The accompanying "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" is based upon our Consolidated Financial Statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP"). The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amount of revenues and expenses during the reported period. On an on-going basis, we evaluate our estimates, including those related to, the recoverability of long-lived assets, pension and other postretirement benefit obligations and the underlying actuarial assumptions related thereto, the realization of deferred income tax assets and accruals for litigation, income tax and other contingencies. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions which we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. Actual results may differ significantly from previously-estimated amounts under different assumptions or conditions.

The following critical accounting policies affect our more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our Consolidated Financial Statements:

Long-lived assets. We recognize an impairment charge associated with our long-lived assets, including property and equipment, whenever we determine that recovery of such long-lived asset is not probable. Such determination is made in accordance with the applicable GAAP requirements of SFAS No. 144 Accounting for the Impairment of Disposal of Long-Lived Assets, and is based upon, among other things, estimates of the amount of future net cash flows to be generated by the long-lived asset and estimates of the current fair value of the asset. Significant judgment is required in estimating such cash flows. Adverse changes in such estimates of future net cash flows or estimates of fair value could result in an inability to recover the carrying value of the long-lived asset, thereby possibly requiring an impairment charge to be recognized in the future. We do not assess our property and equipment for impairment unless certain impairment indicators, specified in SFAS No. 144, are present. We did not evaluate any long-lived assets for impairment during 2008 because no such impairment indicators were present.

Pension and OPEB Plans. We maintain various defined benefit pension plans and postretirement benefits other than pensions (“OPEB”). The amounts recognized as defined benefit pension and OPEB expenses, and the reported amounts of pension asset and accrued pension and OPEB costs, are actuarially determined based on several assumptions, including discount rates, expected rates of returns on plan assets and expected health care trend rates. Variances from these actuarially assumed rates will result in increases or decreases, as applicable, in the recognized pension and OPEB obligations, pension and OPEB expenses and funding requirements. These assumptions are more fully described below under “Defined Benefit Pension Plans” and “OPEB Plans.”

Income taxes. Deferred taxes are recognized for future tax effects of temporary differences between financial and income tax reporting in accordance with the recognition criteria of SFAS No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes. We record a valuation allowance to reduce our deferred income tax assets to the amount that is believed to be realized under the more-likely-than-not recognition criteria. While we have considered future taxable income and ongoing prudent and feasible tax planning strategies in assessing the need for a valuation allowance, it is possible that in the future we may change our estimate of the amount of the deferred income tax assets that would more-likely-than-not be realized in the future, resulting in an adjustment to the deferred income tax asset valuation allowance that would either increase or decrease, as applicable, reported net income in the period such change in estimate was made. For example, we have substantial net operating loss carryforwards in Germany (the equivalent of $817 million for German corporate purposes and $229 million for German trade tax purposes at December 31, 2008). At December 31, 2008, we have concluded that no deferred income tax asset valuation allowance is required to be recognized with respsect to such carryforwards, principally because (i) such carry forwards have an indefinite carryforward period, (ii) we have generated cumulative income in Germany over the most recent three-year period and consequently utilized a portion of such carryforwards during that period and (iii) we currently expect to utilize the remainder of such carryforwards over the long term. However, prior to the complete utilization of such carryforwards, particularly if the current economic downturn continues and we were to generate losses in our German operations for an extended period of time, it is possible that we might conclude the benefit of such carryforwards would no longer meet the more-likely-than-not recognition criteria, at which point we would be required to recognize a valuation allowance against some or all of the then-remaining tax benefit associated with the carryforwards.

We record a reserve for uncertain tax positions in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertain Tax Positions, for tax positions where we believe it is more-likely-than-not our position will not prevail with the applicable tax authorities. It is possible that in the future we may change our assessment regarding the probability that our tax positions will prevail that would require an adjustment to the amount of our reserve for uncertain tax positions that could either increase or decrease, as applicable, reported net income in the period the change in assessment was made.

In addition, we make an evaluation at the end of each reporting period as to whether or not some or all of the undistributed earnings of our non-U.S. subsidiaries are permanently reinvested (as that term is defined in GAAP). While we may have concluded in the past that some of such undistributed earnings are permanently reinvested, facts and circumstances can change in the future, and it is possible that a change in facts and circumstances, such as a change in the expectation regarding the capital needs of our non-U.S. subsidiaries, could result in a conclusion that some or all of such undistributed earnings are no longer permanently reinvested. In such an event, we would be required to recognize a deferred income tax liability in an amount equal to the estimated incremental U.S. income tax and withholding tax liability that would be generated if all of such previously-considered permanently reinvested undistributed earnings were distributed to the U.S.

Contingencies. We record accruals for legal and other contingencies when estimated future expenditures associated with such contingencies and commitments become probable and the amounts can be reasonably estimated. However, new information may become available or circumstances (such as applicable laws and regulations) may change, thereby resulting in an increase or decrease in the amount required to be accrued for such matters (and therefore a decrease or increase in reported net income in the period of such change).

Income from operations is impacted by certain of these significant judgments and estimates, such as allowance for doubtful accounts, reserves for obsolete or unmarketable inventories, impairment of equity method investments and long-lived assets, defined benefit pension plans and loss accruals. In addition, net income (loss) is impacted by the significant judgments and estimates for deferred income tax asset valuation allowances and loss accruals.

Comparison of 2008 to 2007 Results of Operations

	Year ended December 31,
	2007				2008
	(Dollars in millions)

Net sales	$	1,310.3	100	%	$	1,316.9		100	%
Cost of sales		1,058.9	81	%		1,096.3		83	%
Gross margin		251.4	19	%		220.6		17	%
Other operating income and expenses, net		166.5	13	%		173.4		13	%
Income from operations	$	84.9	6	%	$	47.2		4	%

							Percent
							Change
Ti02 operating statistics:
Sales volumes*		519				478		(8	)%
Production volumes*		512				514		-

Percent change in net sales:
TiO2 product pricing								2	%
TiO2 sales volumes								(8	)%
TiO2 product mix								2	%
Changes in currency exchange rates								5	%

Total								1	%

* Thousands of metric tons

Net sales – Net sales increased 1% or $6.6 million for 2008 compared to 2007, primarily due to favorable currency exchange rates, which we estimate increased our net sales for 2008 by approximately $61 million, or 5%, compared to the same period in 2007. Variations in grades of products sold favorably impacted net sales by 2%, along with a 2% increase in average TiO2 selling prices. TiO2 selling prices generally follow industry trends and prices will increase or decrease generally as a result of competitive market pressures. During the second and third quarters of 2008, we and our competitors announced various price increases and surcharges in response to higher operating costs. A portion of these increase announcements were implemented during the second, third and fourth quarters of 2008. The positive impact of currency, product mix and pricing in 2008 were substantially offset by an 8% decrease in sales volumes.

Our 8% decrease in sales volumes in 2008 is primarily due to lower sales volumes in all markets as a result of a global weakening of demand due to poor overall economic conditions.

Cost of sales - Cost of sales increased 4% or $37.4 million for 2008, compared to 2007, due to the impact of a 22% or approximately $27 million increase in utility costs (primarily energy costs), a 10% or approximately $35 million increase in raw material costs and currency fluctuations (primarily the euro). The cost of sales as a percentage of net sales increased to 83% in the year ended December 31, 2008 compared to 81% in the same period of 2007 primarily due to the net effects of higher operating costs and slightly higher average selling prices.

Income from operations – Income from operations in 2008 declined by 44% to $47.2 million compared to 2007; income from operations as a percentage of net sales decreased to 4% in 2008 from 6% for 2007. The decline in income from operations is driven by the decline in gross margin, which decreased to 17% in 2008 compared to 19% in 2007. While our average TiO2 selling prices were higher in 2008, our gross margin decreased primarily because of lower sales volumes and higher manufacturing costs, which more than offset the impact of higher sales prices. Changes in currency rates have also negatively affected our gross margin. We estimate the negative effect of changes in currency exchange rates decreased income from operations by approximately $4 million when comparing 2008 to 2007.

As a percentage of net sales, selling, general and administrative expenses were relatively consistent at approximately 12% for 2007 and approximately 13% for 2008.

Other non-operating income and expense, net – Interest expense increased $2.8 million from $39.4 million for 2007 to $42.2 million for 2008 due to unfavorable changes in currency exchange rates in 2008 compared to 2007 and increased borrowings in 2008 (primarily under our European credit facility). The interest expense we recognize will vary with fluctuations in the euro exchange rate.

Provision (benefit) for income taxes – Our benefit for income taxes was $3.0 million in 2008 compared to an income tax provision of $114.7 million for 2007. See Note 9 to our Consolidated Financial Statements for a tabular reconciliation of our statutory income tax expense to our actual tax expense. Some of the more significant items impacting this reconciliation are summarized below.

Our income tax benefit for 2008 includes:

·	A non-cash benefit of $7.2 million relating to a European Court ruling that resulted in the favorable resolution of certain income tax issues in Germany and an increase in the amount of our German corporate and trade tax net operating loss carryforwards.

Our income tax expense in 2007 includes:

·	a non-cash charge of $90.8 million relating to a decrease in our net deferred income tax asset in Germany resulting from the reduction in its income tax rates;

·	a non-cash charge of $8.7 million relating to the adjustment of certain German income tax attributes; and

·	a non-cash income tax benefit of $2.0 million resulting from a net reduction in our reserve for uncertain tax positions.

Comparison of 2007 to 2006 Results of Operations

	Years ended December 31,
	2006				2007
	(Dollars in millions)

Net sales	$	1,279.4	100	%	$	1,310.3		100	%
Cost of sales		968.9	76	%		1,058.9		81	%
Gross margin		310.5	24	%		251.4		19	%
Other operating income and expenses, net		167.3	13	%		166.5		13	%
Income from operations	$	143.2	11	%	$	84.9		6	%

							Percent
							Change
Ti02 operating statistics:
Sales volumes*		511				519		1	%
Production volumes*		516				512		(1	)%

Percent change in net sales:
TiO2 product pricing								(4	)%
TiO2 sales volumes								1	%
TiO2 product mix								-
Changes in currency exchange rates								5	%

Total								2	%

* Thousands of metric tons

Net sales – Net sales increased 2% or $30.9 million for 2007 compared to 2006, primarily due to favorable currency exchange rates and a 1% increase in sales volumes offset somewhat by a 4% decrease in average TiO2 selling prices. We estimate the favorable effect of changes in currency exchange rates increased our net sales for 2007 by approximately $65 million, or 5%, compared to the same period in 2006.

Our 1% increase in sales volumes in 2007 is primarily due to higher sales volumes in European and export markets, which were somewhat offset by lower sales volumes in North America. Our TiO2 sales volumes in 2007 were a new record for us.

Cost of sales - Cost of sales increased 9% or $90 million for 2007, compared to 2006, due to higher sales volumes, lower production volumes, and the effects of changes in currency exchange rates. The cost of sales as a percentage of net sales increased to 81% in the year ended December 31, 2007, compared to 76% in the same period of 2006 primarily due to the net effects of lower average selling prices, lower utility costs of approximately $3 million, higher other manufacturing costs (including maintenance) of approximately $5 million and slightly lower production volumes. TiO2 production volumes decreased 1% for 2007 compared to the same period in 2006, which unfavorably impacted our income from operations comparisons. Our operating rates were near full capacity in both periods.

Income from operations – Income from operations in 2007 declined by 41% to $84.9 million compared to 2006; income from operations as a percentage of net sales decreased to 6% in 2007 from 11% for 2006. The decline in income from operations is driven by the decline in gross margin, which decreased to 19% in 2007 compared to 24% in 2006. While our sales volumes were higher in 2007, our gross margin decreased primarily because of lower average TiO2 selling prices, lower production volumes and higher manufacturing costs, which more than offset the impact of higher sales volumes. Changes in currency rates have also negatively affected our gross margin. We estimate the negative effect of changes in currency exchange rates decreased income from operations by approximately $4 million when comparing 2007 to 2006.

As a percentage of net sales, selling, general and administrative expenses were relatively consistent at approximately 12% for both 2006 and 2007.

Other non-operating income and expense, net – In 2006, we issued our euro 400 million principal amount of 6.5% Senior Secured Notes, and used the proceeds to redeem our euro 375 million principal amount of 8.875% Senior Secured Notes. As a result of our prepayment of the 8.875% Senior Secured Notes, we recognized a $22.3 million pre-tax interest charge ($14.5 million net of income tax benefit) in 2006 for the prepayment of the notes, representing (1) the call premium on the notes, (2) the write-off of deferred financing costs and (3) write off of the existing unamortized premium on the notes. See Note 8 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Interest expense decreased $3.8 million from $43.2 million for 2006 to $39.4 million for 2007 due to the issuance of the 6.5% Senior Secured Notes during 2006, which was partially offset by unfavorable changes in currency exchange rates in 2007 compared to 2006. The interest expense we recognize will vary with fluctuations in the euro exchange rate.

Provision (benefit) for income taxes – Our provision for income taxes was $114.7 million in 2007 compared to a benefit of $.7 million for 2006. See Note 9 to our Consolidated Financial Statements for a tabular reconciliation of our statutory income tax expense to our actual tax expense. Some of the more significant items impacting this reconciliation are summarized below.

Our income tax expense for 2007 includes:

·	a non-cash charge of $90.8 million relating to a decrease in our net deferred income tax asset in Germany resulting from the reduction in its income tax rates;

·	a non-cash charge of $8.7 million relating to the adjustment of certain German income tax attributes; and

·	a non-cash income tax benefit of $2.0 million resulting from a net reduction in our reserve for uncertain tax positions.

Our income tax benefit in 2006 includes:

·	an income tax benefit of $21.7 million resulting from a favorable resolution of certain income tax audits in Germany that resulted in an increase in the amount of our German trade tax net operating loss carryforward;

·	an income tax benefit of $10.7 million resulting from the reduction in our income tax contingency reserves related to favorable developments with income tax audits in Belgium, Norway and Germany;

·	an income tax benefit of $1.4 million relating to the favorable resolution of certain income tax audit issues in Germany and Belgium; and

·	a $1.1 million benefit resulting from the enactment of a reduction in Canadian income tax rates.

Effects of Currency Exchange Rates

We have substantial operations and assets located outside the United States (primarily in Germany, Belgium, Norway and Canada). The majority of our non-U.S. operations’ sales are denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar, principally the euro, other major European currencies and the Canadian dollar. A portion of our sales generated from our non-U.S. operations are denominated in the U.S. dollar. Certain raw materials used worldwide, primarily titanium-containing feedstocks, are purchased in U.S. dollars, while labor and other production costs are purchased primarily in local currencies. Consequently, the translated U.S. dollar value of our non-U.S. sales and operating results are subject to currency exchange rate fluctuations which may favorably or unfavorably impact reported earnings and may affect the comparability of period-to-period operating results. Overall, fluctuations in currency exchange rates had the following effects on our sales and income from operations for the periods indicated.

	Year ended December 31, 2007 vs. 2006			Year ended December 31, 2008 vs. 2007
	Increase (decrease) (In millions)

Impact on:
Net sales	$	65		$	61
Income from operations		(4	)		(4	)

Other

On September 22, 2005, the chloride-process TiO2 facility operated by our 50%-owned joint venture, Louisiana Pigment Company (“LPC”), temporarily halted production due to Hurricane Rita and as a result, both we and LPC filed claims with our insurers. We recognized a gain of $1.8 million related to our business interruption claim in 2006, which is included in other operating income on our Consolidated Statement of Operations.

Outlook

We currently expect income from operations will be lower in 2009 compared to 2008 primarily from higher production costs resulting in part from significantly reduced production volumes and the resulting unabsorbed fixed production costs and unfavorable currency effects. We currently expect to report a net loss in 2009 as compared to reporting net income in 2008 due to lower expected income from operations in 2009.

In response to the worldwide economic slowdown and weak consumer confidence, we are significantly reducing our production volumes in 2009 in order to reduce our finished goods inventory and improve our liquidity. While overall industry pigment demand is expected to be lower in 2009 as compared to 2008 as a result of worldwide economic conditions, we currently expect our sales volumes in 2009 will be slightly higher as compared to 2008, as we expect to gain market share following anticipated reductions in industry capacity due to competitors’ permanent plant shutdowns. We believe average selling prices in 2009 will decline from year-end levels during the first half of the year but will rise during the second half of 2009 which should result in slightly higher average worldwide TiO2 selling prices for the year. To mitigate the negative impact of our significantly reduced production volumes, we are reducing our operating costs where possible, such as; reducing maintenance expenditures, research development expenditures and personnel costs.

Our expectations as to the future of the TiO2 industry are based upon a number of factors beyond our control, including worldwide growth of gross domestic product, competition in the marketplace, solvency and continued operation of competitors, unexpected or earlier than expected capacity additions or reductions and technological advances. If actual developments differ from our expectations, our results of operations could be unfavorably affected.

We believe that our annual attainable production capacity for 2009 is approximately 532,000 metric tons. We expect our production volumes in 2009 will be significantly lower than our attainable capacity. We currently expect we will operate at 75% to 85% of our attainable production capacity in 2009. Our expected capacity utilization levels could be adjusted upwards or downwards to match changes in demand for our product.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Consolidated cash flows

Operating activities

Trends in cash flows as a result of our operating activities (excluding the impact of significant asset dispositions and relative changes in assets and liabilities) are generally similar to trends in our earnings.

Cash flows from operating activities decreased to $2.7 million in 2008 from $90.0 million in 2007. This $87.3 million decrease was due primarily to the net effect of the following items:

·	lower income from operations in 2008 of $37.7 million;

·	higher net cash used by relative changes in our inventories, receivables, payables and accruals of $74.7 million in 2008 as compared to 2007, due primarily to relative changes in our inventory levels, as discussed below;

·	lower cash paid for income taxes in 2008 of $19.7 million, in part due lower taxable income and the receipt of tax refunds at our European operating units;

·	higher net distributions from our TiO2 joint venture in 2008 of $14.9 million due to related changes in their cash flow;

·	higher cash paid for interest in 2008 of $3.2 million, as a result of increased borrowing and the effects of currency exchange rates on the semiannual interest payments on our 6.5% Senior Secured Notes; and

·	higher depreciation expense of $2.4 million in 2008, primarily as a result of the effects of currency exchange rates.

Cash flows from operating activities provided $90.0 million in 2007 compared to $71.9 million in 2006. This $18.1 million increase was due primarily to the net effects of the following items:

·	lower income from operations in 2007 of $58.3 million;

·	higher net cash provided by relative changes in our inventories, receivables, payables and accruals of $31.4 million in 2007 as compared to 2006, due primarily to relative changes in our inventory levels, as discussed below;

·	payment of the $20.9 million call premium in 2006 as a result of the prepayment of our 8.875% Senior Secured Notes, which is required to be included in cash flows from operating activities;

·	lower cash paid for income taxes in 2007 of $20.8 million, in part due to the net payment of $19.2 million in 2006 associated with the settlement of prior year income tax audits;

·	higher net contributions to our TiO2 joint venture in 2007 of $7.2 million due to related changes in their cash flow;

·	higher cash paid for interest in 2007 of $4.5 million, primarily as a result of the effects of currency exchange rates on the semiannual interest payments on our 6.5% Senior Secured Notes; and

·	higher depreciation expense of $4.6 million in 2007, primarily as a result of the effects of currency exchange rates.

Changes in working capital are affected by accounts receivable and inventory changes. Our average days sales outstanding (“DSO”) increased from 63 days at December 31, 2007 to 64 days at December 31, 2008 due to the timing of collection on receivable balances at the end of 2008. For comparative purposes, our average DSO increased from 61 days at December 31, 2006 to 63 days at December 31, 2007. Our average days sales in inventory (“DSI”) increased from 59 days at December 31, 2007 to 113 days at December 31, 2008, as our sales volumes decreased in 2008 (mostly in the fourth quarter) and our production volumes exceeded our TiO2 sales volumes during the last half of 2008. For comparative purposes, our average DSI decreased to 59 days at December 31, 2007 from 68 days at December 31, 2006.

Investing activities

Our capital expenditures were $50.9 million in 2006, $47.3 million in 2007 and $68.1 million in 2008. Capital expenditures are primarily for improvements and upgrades to existing facilities. Our capital expenditures during the past three years include an aggregate of approximately $22 million ($12 million in 2008) for our ongoing environmental protection and compliance programs.

Financing activities

During 2008, we:

·	made net payments of $1.7 million on our U.S. credit facility;

·	made net borrowings of $44.4 million on our European credit facility; and

·	made net borrowings of $19.2 million on our credit facility with our affiliate NL.

During 2007, we:

·	made net borrowings of $9 million under our U.S. credit facility.

During 2006, we:

·	issued euro 400 million principal amount of 6.5% Senior Secured Notes at 99.306% of par ($498.5 million when issued);

·	redeemed our euro 375 million principal amount of 8.875% Senior Secured Notes ($470.5 million when redeemed) using the proceeds from the issuance of the 6.5% Notes;

·	made net payments of $5.1 million under our U.S. credit facility; and

·	borrowed and repaid $4.4 million under our Canadian credit facility.

During each of 2006, 2007 and 2008, we paid a quarterly dividend to our stockholders of $.25 per share for an aggregate dividend $49.0 million in each year. In February 2009, our Board of Directors decided to suspend the quarterly dividend after considering the challenges and opportunities that exist in the TiO2 pigment industry. See Item 5. Market For Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters.

Outstanding debt obligations and borrowing availability

At December 31, 2008, our consolidated debt was comprised of:

·	euro 400 million principal amount of our 6.5% Senior Secured Notes ($560.0 million) due in 2013;

·	euro 30 million ($42.2 million) under our European revolving credit facility which matures in May 2011;

·	$13.7 million under our U.S. revolving credit facility which matures in September 2011;

·	$19.2 million under our revolving note with NL which matures in December 2009; and

·	approximately $3.4 million of other indebtedness.

Certain of our credit agreements contain provisions which could result in the acceleration of indebtedness prior to its stated maturity for reasons other than defaults for failure to comply with applicable covenants. For example, certain credit agreements allow the lender to accelerate the maturity of the indebtedness upon a change of control (as defined in the agreement) of the borrower. In addition, certain credit agreements could result in the acceleration of all or a portion of the indebtedness following a sale of assets outside the ordinary course of business. None of our credit agreements contain provisions that link the debt payment rates or schedules or borrowing availability to our credit rating. We are in compliance with all of our debt covenants at December 31, 2008.

Certain of our credit facilities require us to maintain specified financial ratios and satisfy certain financial covenants contained in the applicable credit agreement. While we were in compliance with all of our debt covenants at December 31, 2008, we currently believe it is probable that one of our required financial ratios associated with our European credit facility (the ratio of net secured debt to earnings before income taxes, interest and depreciation, as defined) will not be maintained at some point during 2009, most likely commencing at March 31, 2009. In 2009, we have begun to reduce our production levels in response to the current economic environment, which we anticipate will favorably impact our liquidity and cash flows by reducing our inventory levels. However, the reduced capacity utilization levels will negatively impact our 2009 results of operations due to the resulting unabsorbed fixed production costs that will be charged to expense as incurred. As a result, we may not be able to maintain the required financial ratio throughout 2009.

We have begun discussions with the lenders to amend the terms of the existing European credit facility to eliminate the requirement to maintain this financial ratio until at least March 31, 2010. While we believe it is possible we can obtain such an amendment to eliminate this financial ratio through at least March 31, 2010, there is no assurance that such amendment will be obtained, or if obtained that the requirement to maintain the financial ratio will be eliminated (or waived, in the event the lenders would only agree to a waiver and not an amendment to eliminate the covenant itself) through at least March 31, 2010. Any such amendment or waiver which we might obtain could increase our future borrowing costs, either from a requirement that we pay a higher rate of interest on outstanding borrowings or pay a fee to the lenders as part of agreeing to such amendment or waiver.

In the event we would not be successful in obtaining the amendment or waiver of the existing European credit facility to eliminate the requirement to maintain the financial ratio, we would seek to refinance such facility with a new group of lenders with terms that did not include such financial covenant or, if required, we will use our existing liquidity resources (which could include funds provided by our affiliates). While there is no assurance that we would be able to refinance the existing European credit facility with a new group of lenders, we believe these other sources of liquidity available to us would allow us to refinance the existing European credit facility. If required, we believe by undertaking one or more of these steps we will be successful in maintaining sufficient liquidity to meet our future obligations including operations, capital expenditures and debt service for the next 12 months.

During the second quarter of 2008, we amended our European revolving bank credit facility to extend the maturity date by three years to May 2011. During the third quarter of 2008, we amended our U.S. revolving bank credit facility to increase the size of the facility from $50.0 million to $70.0 million and to extend the maturity date by three years to September 2011. Our Canadian revolving credit facility had a maturity date of January 15, 2009. Prior to maturity we temporarily extended our existing borrowing terms under our Canadian revolving credit facility and we are currently in the process of renegotiating our facility on a month to month basis expecting a new agreement in place in the first quarter of 2009.

In October 2008, NL agreed to loan us up to $40 million. The amount of our outstanding borrowings from NL at any time is solely at NL’s discretion. We intend to use any borrowings from NL to reduce the outstanding balance under our U.S. revolving bank credit facility. See Note 13 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Our assets consist primarily of investments in operating subsidiaries, and our ability to service parent level obligations, including the Senior Secured Notes, depends in large part upon the distribution of earnings of our subsidiaries, whether in the form of dividends, advances or payments on account of intercompany obligations or otherwise. None of our subsidiaries have guaranteed the Senior Secured Notes, although Kronos International, Inc. (“KII”), our subsidiary, has pledged 65% of the common stock or other ownership interests of certain of KII’s first-tier operating subsidiaries as collateral for the Senior Secured Notes. The terms of the indenture governing the Senior Secured Notes limits KII’s ability to pay dividends and make other restricted payments. At December 31, 2008, the maximum amount of dividends and other restricted payments that KII could make (the “Restricted Payment Basket”) was approximately $52 million. However, the indenture currently prohibits KII from utilizing such Restricted Payment Basket because KII has not met a specified financial ratio; such prohibition will continue until such time as KII meets the specified financial ratio.

Liquidity

Our primary source of liquidity on an ongoing basis is cash flows from operating activities which is generally used to (i) fund working capital expenditures, (ii) repay any short-term indebtedness incurred for working capital purposes and (iii) provide for the payment of dividends. From time-to-time we will incur indebtedness, generally to (i) fund short-term working capital needs, (ii) refinance existing indebtedness or (iii) fund major capital expenditures or the acquisition of other assets outside the ordinary course of business. We will also from time-to-time sell assets outside the ordinary course of business, and use the proceeds to (i) repay existing indebtedness, (ii) make investments in marketable and other securities, (iii) fund major capital expenditures or the acquisition of other assets outside the ordinary course of business or (iv) pay dividends.

Pricing within the TiO2 industry is cyclical, and changes in industry economic conditions significantly impact earnings and operating cash flows. Changes in TiO2 pricing, production volumes and customer demand, among other things, could significantly affect our liquidity.

We routinely evaluate our liquidity requirements, alternative uses of capital, capital needs and availability of resources in view of, among other things, our dividend policy, our debt service and capital expenditure requirements and estimated future operating cash flows. As a result of this process, we have in the past and may in the future seek to reduce, refinance, repurchase or restructure indebtedness, raise additional capital, repurchase shares of our common stock, modify our dividend policy, restructure ownership interests, sell interests in our subsidiaries or other assets, or take a combination of these steps or other steps to manage our liquidity and capital resources. Such activities have in the past and may in the future involve related companies. In the normal course of our business, we may investigate, evaluate, discuss and engage in acquisition, joint venture, strategic relationship and other business combination opportunities in the TiO2 industry. In the event of any future acquisition or joint venture opportunity, we may consider using then-available liquidity, issuing our equity securities or incurring additional indebtedness.

At December 31, 2008, we had credit available under all of our existing credit facilities of approximately $112.2 million, consisting principally of $70.3 million under our European credit facility, $12.9 million under our Canadian credit facility and $29.0 million under our U.S. credit facility. Based upon our expectation for the TiO2 industry and anticipated demands on cash resources, we expect to have sufficient liquidity to meet our future obligations including operations, capital expenditures and debt service for the next 12 months. In this regard, see the discussion above in “Outstanding debt obligations and borrowing availability.” If actual developments differ from our expectations, our liquidity could be adversely affected.

Capital expenditures

We intend to spend approximately $29 million to maintain and improve our existing facilities during 2009, including approximately $1 million in the area of environmental protection and compliance. The majority of our expenditures in 2009 will be to maintain our facilities. We have lowered our planned capital expenditures in 2009 in response to the current economic conditions. Capital spending for 2009 is expected to be funded through cash on hand or borrowing on existing credit facilities.

Off-balance sheet financing

Other than operating lease commitments disclosed in Note 14 to our Consolidated Financial Statements, we are not party to any material off-balance sheet financing arrangements.

Cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted marketable debt securities

At December 31, 2008, we had current cash and cash equivalents aggregating $13.6 million ($12.1 million held by our non-U.S. subsidiaries). At December 31, 2008, our U.S. and non-U.S. subsidiaries had current restricted cash equivalents of $1.5 million and noncurrent restricted marketable debt securities of $3.5 million.

Related party transactions

We are party to certain transactions with related parties. See Note 13 to our Consolidated Financial Statements. It is our policy to engage in transactions with related parties on terms, in our opinion, no less favorable to us than could be obtained from unrelated parties.

Commitments and contingencies

See Notes 9 and 14 to our Consolidated Financial Statements for a description of certain income tax examinations currently underway and certain legal proceedings.

Recent accounting pronouncements

See Note 17 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Debt and Other Contractual Commitments

As more fully described in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, we are a party to various debt, lease and other agreements which contractually and unconditionally commit us to pay certain amounts in the future. See Notes 8, 13, 14 and 16 to our Consolidated Financial Statements. The timing and amount shown for our commitments in the table below are based upon the contractual payment amount and the contractual payment date for such commitments. The following table summarizes such contractual commitments of ours and our consolidated subsidiaries as of December 31, 2008 by the type and date of payment.

	Payment due date
Contractual commitment	2009			2010/2011		2012/2013	2014 and after		Total
	(In millions)
Indebtedness(1)	$	.8	$	57.6	$	560.9	$	-	$	619.3
Interest payments onindebtedness (2)		39.4		77.2		48.8		-		165.4
Note with NL (3)		-		19.2		-		-		19.2
Operating leases		5.5		6.9		3.9		18.9		35.2
Long-term supply contracts for the purchase of TiO2 feedstock (4)		229.0		276.0		-		-		505.0
Long-term service and other supply contracts (5)		48.4		51.5		11.3		1.8		113.0
Fixed asset acquisitions		19.5		-		-		-		19.5
Estimated tax obligations (6)		3.7		-		-		-		3.7

	$	346.3	$	488.4	$	624.9	$	20.7	$	1,480.3

(1)

A significant portion of the amount shown for indebtedness relates to our 6.5% Senior Secured Notes ($560.0 million at December 31, 2008). Such indebtedness is denominated in euro. See Item 7A – “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” and Note 8 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. With respect to the revolving credit facilities the amounts shown for indebtedness are based upon the actual amount outstanding at December 31, 2008.

(2)	The amounts shown for interest for any outstanding variable-rate indebtedness is based upon the December 31, 2008 interest rates and assumes that such variable-rate indebtedness remains outstanding until maturity.

(3)	The amount shown for our note payable to NL based upon the actual amount outstanding at December 31, 2008. See Note 8 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

(4)

Our contracts for the purchase of TiO2 feedstock contain fixed quantities that we are required to purchase, although certain of these contracts allow for an upward or downward adjustment in the quantity purchased, generally no more than 10%, based on our feedstock requirements. The pricing under these agreements is generally based on a fixed price with price escalation clauses primarily based on consumer price indices, as defined in the respective contracts. The timing and amount shown for our commitments related to the long-term supply contracts for TiO2 feedstock are based upon our current estimate of the quantity of material that will be purchased in each time period shown, the payment that would be due based upon such estimated purchased quantity and an estimate of the effect of the price escalation clause. The actual amount of material purchased, and the actual amount that would be payable by us, may vary from such estimated amounts. Our obligation for the purchase of TiO2 feedstock is more fully described in Note 14 to our Consolidated Financial Statements and above in “Business – raw materials.”

(5)	The amounts shown for the long-term service and other supply contracts primarily pertain to agreements we have entered into with various providers of products or services which help to run our plant facilities (electricity, natural gas, etc.), utilizing December 31, 2008 exchange rates.

(6)	The amount shown for estimated tax obligations is the consolidated amount of income taxes payable at December 31, 2008, which is assumed to be paid during 2009.

The above table does not reflect:

Any amounts that we might pay to fund our defined benefit pension plans and OPEB plans, as the timing and amount of any such future fundings are unknown and dependent on, among other things, the future performance of defined benefit pension plan assets, interest rate assumptions and actual future retiree medical costs. We expect to be required to contribute approximately $18.7 million to our defined benefit pension plans and OPEB plans during 2009. Such defined benefit pension plans and OPEB plans are discussed below in greater detail. See Note 10 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

·	Any amounts that we might pay related to our asset retirement obligations as the terms and amounts of such future fundings are unknown;

·	Any amounts that we might pay to settle any of our uncertain tax positions, as the timing and amount of any such future settlements are unknown and dependent on, among other things, the timing of tax audits. See Notes 9 and 17 to our Consolidated Financial Statements; and

Any amounts we might pay to acquire TiO2 from our TiO2 manufacturing joint venture, as the timing and amount of such purchases are unknown and dependent on, among other things, the amount of TiO2 produced by the joint venture in the future and the joint venture’s future cost of producing such TiO2. However, the table does include amounts related to our share of the joint venture’s ore requirements necessary to produce TiO2 for us. See Item 1, “Business” and Note 6 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

We occasionally enter into raw material supply arrangements to mitigate the short-term impact of future increases in raw material costs. While these arrangements do not necessarily commit us to a minimum volume of purchase, they generally provide for stated unit prices based upon achievement of specified volume purchase levels. This allows us to stabilize raw material purchase prices to a certain extent, provided the specified minimum monthly purchase quantities are met.

Defined benefit pension plans

We maintain various defined benefit pension plans in the U.S., Europe and Canada. See Note 10 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

We account for our defined benefit pension plans using SFAS No. 87, Employer’s Accounting for Pensions, as amended. Under SFAS No. 87, defined benefit pension plan expense and prepaid and accrued pension costs are each recognized based on certain actuarial assumptions, principally the assumed discount rate, the assumed long-term rate of return on plan assets and the assumed increase in future compensation levels.

In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 158, Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans. SFAS No. 158 requires the recognition of an asset or liability for the over or under funded status of each of our individual defined benefit pension plans on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. This standard does not change the existing recognition and measurement requirements that determine the amount of periodic benefit cost we recognize in net income. We adopted the asset and liability recognition and disclosure requirements of this standard effective December 31, 2006 on a prospective basis, in which we recognized through accumulated other comprehensive income all of our prior unrecognized gains and losses and prior service costs or credits, net of tax, as of December 31, 2006.

We recognized consolidated defined benefit pension plan expense of $20.4 million in 2006, $22.4 million in 2007, and $8.8 million in 2008. In the fourth quarter of 2008 we recognized a $6.9 million pension adjustment in connection with the correction of our pension expense previously recognized for 2006 and 2007. See Note 10 to our Consolidated Financial Statements. The amount of funding requirements for these defined benefit pension plans is generally based upon applicable regulations (such as ERISA in the U.S.), and will generally differ from pension expense recognized under SFAS No. 87 for financial reporting purposes. We made contributions to all of our plans which aggregated $26.8 million in 2006, $27.1 million in 2007, and $20.8 million in 2008.

The discount rates we use for determining defined benefit pension expense and the related pension obligations are based on current interest rates earned on long-term bonds that receive one of the two highest ratings given by recognized rating agencies in the applicable country where the defined benefit pension benefits are being paid. In addition, we receive advice about appropriate discount rates from our third-party actuaries, who may in some cases use their own market indices. The discount rates are adjusted as of each measurement date to reflect then-current interest rates on such long-term bonds. Such discount rates are used to determine the actuarial present value of the pension obligations as of the measurement date, and such discount rates are also used to determine the interest component of defined benefit pension expense for the following year. Prior to December 31, 2007, we used a September 30 measurement date. Effective December 31, 2007, we began using a December 31 measurement date, concurrent with our adoption of the measurement date requirements of SFAS No. 158 effective December 31, 2007. See Note 17 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

At December 31, 2008, approximately 65%, 15%, 13% and 3% of the projected benefit obligations related to our plans in Germany, Canada, Norway and the U.S., respectively. We use several different discount rate assumptions in determining our consolidated defined benefit pension plan obligation and expense. This is because we maintain defined benefit pension plans in several different countries in North America and Europe and the interest rate environment differs from country to country.

We used the following discount rates for our defined benefit pension plans:

	Discount rates used for:
	Obligations at December 31, 2006 and expense in 2007			Obligations at December 31, 2007 and expense in 2008			Obligations at December 31, 2008 and expense in 2009

Germany		4.5	%		5.5	%		5.8	%
Canada		5.0	%		5.3	%		6.5	%
Norway		4.8	%		5.5	%		5.8	%
U.S.		5.8	%		6.1	%		6.1	%

The assumed long-term rate of return on plan assets represents the estimated average rate of earnings expected to be earned on the funds invested or to be invested from the plans’ assets provided to fund the benefit payments inherent in the projected benefit obligations. Defined benefit pension expense each year is based upon the assumed long-term rate of return on plan assets for each plan and the actual fair value of the plan assets as of the beginning of the year. Differences between the expected return on plan assets for a given year and the actual return are deferred and amortized over future periods based either upon the expected average remaining service life of the active plan participants (for plans for which benefits are still being earned by active employees) or the average remaining life expectancy of the inactive participants (for plans for which benefits are not still being earned by active employees).

At December 31, 2008, approximately 57%, 19%, 17% and 4% of the plan assets related to our plans in the Germany, Canada, Norway and the U.S., respectively. We use several different long-term rates of return on plan asset assumptions in determining our consolidated defined benefit pension plan expense. This is because the plan assets in different countries are invested in a different mix of investments and the long-term rates of return for different investments differ from country to country.

In determining the expected long-term rate of return on plan asset assumptions, we consider the long-term asset mix (e.g. equity vs. fixed income) for the assets for each of our plans and the expected long-term rates of return for such asset components. In addition, we receive advice about appropriate long-term rates of return from our third-party actuaries. Such assumed asset mixes are summarized below:

·	In Germany, the composition of our plan assets is established to satisfy the requirements of the German insurance commissioner.

·	In Canada, we currently have a plan asset target allocation of 60% to equity securities and 40% to fixed income securities, with an expected long-term rate of return for such investments to average approximately 125 basis points above the applicable equity or fixed income index.

·	In Norway, we currently have a plan asset target allocation of 14% to equity securities, 64% to fixed income securities and the remainder primarily to cash and liquid investments. The expected long-term rate of return for such investments is approximately 9.0%, 5.0% and 4.0%, respectively.

In the U.S. all of the assets were invested in The Combined Master Retirement Trust (“CMRT”), a collective investment trust sponsored by Contran to permit the collective investment by certain master trusts which fund certain employee benefits plans sponsored by Contran and certain of its affiliates. Harold Simmons is the sole trustee of the CMRT. The CMRT’s long-term investment objective is to provide a rate of return exceeding a composite of broad market equity and fixed income indices (including the S&P 500 and certain Russell indices) utilizing both third-party investment managers as well as investments directed by Mr. Simmons. During the 20-year history of the CMRT from its inception in 1987 through December 31, 2008, the average annual rate of return has been 11%.

Our pension plan weighted average asset allocations by asset category were as follows:

	December 31, 2008
	CMRT			Germany			Canada			Norway

Equity securities and limited partnerships		53	%		24	%		53	%		14	%
Fixed income securities		43			52			39			83
Real estate		-			12			-			-
Cash, cash equivalents and other		4			12			8			3

Total		100	%		100	%		100	%		100	%
	December 31, 2007
	CMRT			Germany			Canada			Norway

Equity securities and limited partnerships		98	%		28	%		60	%		18	%
Fixed income securities		-			49			34			68
Real estate		2			12			-			-
Cash, cash equivalents and other		-			11			6			14

Total		100	%		100	%		100	%		100	%

We regularly review our actual asset allocation for each plan, and will periodically rebalance the investments in each plan to more accurately reflect the targeted allocation when considered appropriate.

Our assumed long-term rates of return on plan assets for 2006, 2007 and 2008 were as follows:

	2006			2007			2008

Germany		5.3	%		5.8	%		5.3	%
Canada		7.0	%		6.8	%		6.3	%
Norway		6.5	%		5.5	%		6.1	%
U.S.		10.0	%		10.0	%		10.0	%

We currently expect to use the same long-term rate of return on plan asset assumptions in 2009 as we used in 2008 for purposes of determining the 2009 defined benefit pension plan expense.

To the extent that a plan’s particular pension benefit formula calculates the pension benefit in whole or in part based upon future compensation levels, the projected benefit obligations and the pension expense will be based in part upon expected increases in future compensation levels. For all of our plans for which the benefit formula is so calculated, we generally base the assumed expected increase in future compensation levels upon average long-term inflation rates for the applicable country.

In addition to the actuarial assumptions discussed above, the amount of recognized defined benefit pension expense and the amount of net pension asset and net pension liability will vary based upon relative changes in currency exchange rates.

A reduction in the assumed discount rate generally results in an actuarial loss, as the actuarially-determined present value of estimated future benefit payments will increase. Conversely, an increase in the assumed discount rate generally results in an actuarial gain. In addition, an actual return on plan assets for a given year that is greater than the assumed return on plan assets results in an actuarial gain, while an actual return on plan assets that is less than the assumed return results in an actuarial loss. Other actual outcomes that differ from previous assumptions, such as individuals living longer or shorter than assumed in mortality tables which are also used to determine the actuarially-determined present value of estimated future benefit payments, changes in such mortality table themselves or plan amendments, will also result in actuarial losses or gains. Accordingly under GAAP, we do not recognize all of such actuarial gains and losses in earnings currently; instead these amounts are deferred and amortized into income in the future as part of net periodic defined benefit pension cost. However, upon adoption of SFAS No. 158 effective December 31, 2006, these amounts are recognized in other comprehensive income. In addition, any actuarial gains generated in future periods would reduce the negative amortization effect of any cumulative unrecognized actuarial losses, while any actuarial losses generated in future periods would reduce the favorable amortization effect of any cumulative unrecognized actuarial gains.

During 2008, all of our defined benefit pension plans generated a combined net actuarial loss of approximately $15.0 million. This actuarial loss resulted primarily from the general overall loss on plan assets in excess of the assumed return.

Based on the actuarial assumptions described above and our current expectation for what actual average currency exchange rates will be during 2009, we expect our defined benefit pension expense will approximate $17 million in 2009. In comparison, we expect to be required to contribute approximately $18 million to such plans during 2009.

As noted above, defined benefit pension expense and the amounts recognized as accrued pension costs are based upon the actuarial assumptions discussed above. We believe all of the actuarial assumptions used are reasonable and appropriate. However, if we had lowered the assumed discount rate by 25 basis points for all plans as of December 31, 2008, our aggregate projected benefit obligations would have increased by approximately $13 million at that date, and our defined benefit pension expense would be expected to increase by approximately $1 million during 2009. Similarly, if we lowered the assumed long-term rate of return on plan assets by 25 basis points for all of our plans, our defined benefit pension expense would be expected to increase by approximately $.5 million during 2009.

OPEB plans

Certain subsidiaries of ours in the U.S. and Canada currently provide certain health care and life insurance benefits for eligible retired employees. See Note 10 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. We account for such OPEB costs under SFAS No. 106, Employers Accounting for Postretirement Benefits other than Pensions, as amended. Under SFAS No. 106, OPEB expense and accrued OPEB costs are based on certain actuarial assumptions, principally the assumed discount rate and the assumed rate of increases in future health care costs.

In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 158, Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans. SFAS No. 158 requires us to recognize an asset or liability for the over or under funded status of each of our individual defined benefit pension and postretirement benefit plans on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. This standard does not change the existing recognition and measurement requirements that determine the amount of periodic benefit cost we recognize in net income. We adopted the asset and liability recognition and disclosure requirements of this standard effective December 31, 2006 on a prospective basis, in which we recognized through other comprehensive income all of our prior unrecognized gains and losses and prior service costs or credits, net of tax, as of December 31, 2006.

We recognized consolidated OPEB cost of approximately $.8 million in 2006 and $.9 million in 2007 and 2008. Similar to defined benefit pension benefits, the amount of funding will differ from the expense recognized for financial reporting purposes, and contributions to the plans to cover benefit payments aggregated $1.0 million in 2006, $.4 million in 2007 and 2008. Substantially all of our accrued OPEB cost relates to benefits being paid to current retirees and their dependents, and no material amount of OPEB benefits are being earned by current employees. Due to continued increases in healthcare costs, it is expected that our OPEB expense for financial reporting purposes will be consistent with the past two years. Our expected OPEB benefit payments are expected to be similar amounts.

The assumed discount rates we use for determining OPEB expense and the related accrued OPEB obligations are generally based on the same discount rates we use for our U.S. and Canadian defined benefit pension plans.

In estimating the health care cost trend rate, we consider our actual health care cost experience, future benefit structures, industry trends and advice from our third-party actuaries. During each of the past three years, we have assumed that the relative increase in health care costs will generally trend downward over the next several years, reflecting, among other things, assumed increases in efficiency in the health care system and industry-wide cost containment initiatives. For example, at December 31, 2008, the expected rate of increase in future health care costs ranges from 8.5% in 2009, declining to 5.0% in 2015 and thereafter.

Based on the actuarial assumptions described above and our current expectation for what actual average currency exchange rates will be during 2009, we expect our consolidated OPEB expense will approximate $.6 million in 2009. In comparison, we expect to be required to make approximately $.7 million of contributions to such plans during 2009.

We believe that all of the actuarial assumptions used are reasonable and appropriate. However, a 25 basis point change in assumed discount rates would have the following effects:

	25 basis point increase			25 basis point decrease
	(In millions)

Effect on net OPEB cost during 2008	$	-		$	-
Effect at December 31, 2008 on postretirement obligation		(.3	)		.3

Assumed health care cost trend rates have a significant effect on the amounts we report for health care plans. A one percent change in assumed health care trend rates would have the following effects:

	1% Increase			1% Decrease
	(In millions)

Effect on net OPEB cost during 2008	$	( .2	)	$	.2
Effect at December 31, 2008 on postretirement obligation		(1.2	)		.9

Operations outside the United States

As discussed above, we have substantial operations located outside the United States for which the functional currency is not the U.S. dollar. As a result, the reported amount of our assets and liabilities related to our non-U.S. operations, and therefore our consolidated net assets, will fluctuate based upon changes in currency exchange rates. At December 31, 2008, we had substantial net assets denominated in the euro, Canadian dollar, Norwegian kroner and United Kingdom pound sterling.

ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

General

We are exposed to market risk from changes in interest rates, currency exchange rates and raw materials prices.

Interest rates

We are exposed to market risk from changes in interest rates, primarily related to indebtedness. At December 31, 2007 and 2008, substantially all of our aggregate indebtedness was comprised of fixed-rate instruments. The large percentage of fixed-rate debt instruments minimizes earnings volatility that would result from changes in interest rates. The following table presents principal amounts and weighted average interest rates for our aggregate outstanding indebtedness at December 31, 2008. Information shown below for such non-U.S. dollar denominated indebtedness is presented in its U.S. dollar equivalent at December 31, 2008 using an exchange rate of 1.4061 U.S. dollars per euro and .1428 U.S. dollar per Norwegian krone. Certain Norwegian krone denominated capital leases totaling $3.4 million in 2008 have been excluded from the table below. While our note payable to NL is due on demand, our outstanding borrowings under this note were classified as a noncurrent liability at December 31, 2008 because we have the ability and intent to refinance the outstanding amount payable by using borrowing availability under our U.S. revolving credit facility that matures in September 2011. See Note 8 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

	Amount
Indebtedness	Carrying value		Fair value		Interest rate			Maturity date
	(In millions)

Fixed-rate indebtedness - euro-denominated
Senior Secured Notes	$	560.0	$	129.4		6.5	%	2013

Variable rate indebtedness:
U.S. credit facility – dollar-denominated	$	13.7	$	13.7		3.3	%	2011
Europe credit facility – euro denominated		42.2		42.2		4.5	%	2011
NL revolving note – dollar denominated		19.2		19.2		1.8	%	2009
	$	75.1	$	75.1

At December 31, 2007, euro-denominated fixed-rate indebtedness, consisting solely of the 6.5% Senior Secured Notes, aggregated $585.5 million (fair value – $507.7 million) with a weighted-average interest rate of 6.5%. Variable rate indebtedness (U.S. credit facility) at December 31, 2007, U.S. dollar denominated, was $15.4 million with a weighted-average interest rate of 7.5%.

Currency exchange rates

We are exposed to market risk arising from changes in currency exchange rates as a result of manufacturing and selling our products worldwide. Earnings are primarily affected by fluctuations in the value of the U.S. dollar relative to the euro, the Canadian dollar, the Norwegian krone and the United Kingdom pound sterling.

As described above, at December 31, 2008, we had the equivalent of $602.2 million of outstanding euro-denominated indebtedness (at December 31, 2007 – the equivalent of $585.5 million of euro-denominated indebtedness). The potential increase in the U.S. dollar equivalent of the principal amount outstanding resulting from a hypothetical 10% adverse change in exchange rates at such date would be approximately $60.5 million at December 31, 2008 (at December 31, 2007 – $58.9 million).

an aggregate of $30.0 million for an equivalent value of Canadian dollars at exchange rates ranging from Cdn. $1.25 to Cdn. $1.26 per U.S. dollar. These contracts with U.S. Bank mature from January 2009 through December 2009 at a rate of $2.5 million per month. At December 31, 2008, the actual exchange rate was Cdn. $1.22 per U.S. dollar.

an aggregate $57 million for an equivalent value of Norwegian kroner at exchange rates ranging from kroner 6.91 to kroner 7.18 per U.S. dollar. These contracts with DnB Nor Bank ASA mature from January 2009 through December 2009 at a rate of $.5 million to $2.5 million per month. At December 31, 2008, the actual exchange rate was kroner 7.0 per U.S. dollar.

an aggregate euro 16.4 million for an equivalent value of Norwegian kroner at exchange rates ranging from kroner 8.64 to kroner 9.23 per euro. These contracts with DnB Nor Bank ASA mature from January 2009 through December 2009 at a rate of euro .5 million to euro .7 million per month. At December 31, 2008, the actual exchange rate was kroner 9.7 per euro.

The estimated fair value of such foreign currency forward contracts at December 31, 2008 was a $1.6 million net liability, which $1.3 million is recognized as part of Prepaid Expenses and $2.9 million is recognized as part of Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities in our Consolidated Balance Sheet and a corresponding $1.6 million foreign currency transaction loss in our Consolidated Statement of Operations. To the extent we held such contracts during 2007, we did not use hedge accounting for any of our contracts, and we are not using hedge accounting for any of the contracts we entered into in 2008.

Raw Materials

We are exposed to market risk from changes in commodity prices relating to our raw materials. As discussed in Item 1 we generally enter into long-term supply agreements for certain of our raw material requirements including ore. Many of our raw material contracts contain fixed quantities we are required to purchase, although these contracts allow for an upward or downward adjustment in the quantity purchased. Raw material pricing under these agreements is generally negotiated annually. For certain raw material requirements we do not have long-term supply agreements either because we have assessed the risk of the unavailability of those raw materials and/or the risk of a significant change in the cost of those raw materials to be low, or because long-term supply agreements for those raw materials are generally not available. We do not have any commodity hedges in place at December 31, 2008.

Other

We believe there may be a certain amount of incompleteness in the sensitivity analyses presented above. For example, the hypothetical effect of changes in exchange rates discussed above ignores the potential effect on other variables which affect our results of operations and cash flows, such as demand for our products, sales volumes and selling prices and operating expenses. Accordingly, the amounts presented above are not necessarily an accurate reflection of the potential losses we would incur assuming the hypothetical changes in exchange rates were actually to occur.

The above discussion and estimated sensitivity analysis amounts include forward-looking statements of market risk which assume hypothetical changes in currency exchange rates. Actual future market conditions will likely differ materially from such assumptions. Accordingly, such forward-looking statements should not be considered to be projections by us of future events, gains or losses.

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

The information called for by this Item is contained in a separate section of this Annual Report. See "Index of Financial Statements and Schedules" (page F-1).

ITEM 9.

CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

None.

ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures

We maintain a system of disclosure controls and procedures. The term "disclosure controls and procedures," as defined by Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(e), means controls and other procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that we file or submit to the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Act"), is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the SEC's rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information we are required to disclose in the reports we file or submit to the SEC under the Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive officer and our principal financial officer, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions to be made regarding required disclosure. Each of Steven L. Watson, our Chief Executive Officer, and Gregory M. Swalwell, our Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer, have evaluated the design and effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2008. Based upon their evaluation, these executive officers have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective as of December 31, 2008.

Internal control over financial reporting

We also maintain internal control over financial reporting. The term “internal control over financial reporting,” as defined by Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f) means a process designed by, or under the supervision of, our principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, and effected by the board of directors, management and other personnel, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with GAAP, and includes those policies and procedures that:

·	Pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of our assets,

·	Provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP, and that receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors, and

·	Provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of an unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of assets that could have a material effect on our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 requires us to report on internal control over financial reporting in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008. Our independent registered public accounting firm is also required to audit our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2008.

As permitted by the SEC, our assessment of internal control over financial reporting excludes (i) internal control over financial reporting of equity method investees and (ii) internal control over the preparation of our financial statement schedules required by Article 12 of Regulation S-X. However, our assessment of internal control over financial reporting with respect to equity method investees did include controls over the recording of amounts related to our investment that are recorded in the consolidated financial statements, including controls over the selection of accounting methods for our investments, the recognition of equity method earnings and losses and the determination, valuation and recording of our investment account balances.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There has been no change to our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended December 31, 2008 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f). Our evaluation of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting is based upon the criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (commonly referred to as the “COSO” framework). Based on our evaluation under that framework, we have concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2008.

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, the independent registered public accounting firm that has audited our consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report, has audited the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2008, as stated in their report, which is included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Certifications

Our chief executive officer is required to annually file a certification with the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”), certifying our compliance with the corporate governance listing standards of the NYSE. During 2008, our chief executive officer filed such annual certification with the NYSE. The 2008 certification was unqualified.

Our chief executive officer and chief financial officer are also required to, among other things, quarterly file certifications with the SEC regarding the quality of our public disclosures, as required by Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. The certifications for the quarter ended December 31, 2008 have been filed as Exhibits 31.1 and 31.2 to this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION

Not applicable.

PART III

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

The information required by this Item is incorporated by reference to our definitive Proxy Statement to be filed with the SEC pursuant to Regulation 14A within 120 days after the end of the fiscal year covered by this report (“Proxy Statement”).

ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

The information required by this Item is incorporated by reference to our Proxy Statement.

ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER ACTIVITY

The information required by this Item is incorporated by reference to our Proxy Statement.

ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTORS INDEPENDENCE

The information required by this Item is incorporated by reference to our Proxy Statement. See also Note 13 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES

The information required by the Item is incorporated by reference to our Proxy Statement.

PART IV

ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

(a) and (c)

Financial Statements and Schedule

The Registrant

The consolidated financial statements and schedule of the Registrant listed on the accompanying Index of Financial Statements and Schedules (see page F-1) are filed as part of this Annual Report.

(b) Exhibits

Included as exhibits are the items listed in the Exhibit Index. We will furnish a copy of any of the exhibits listed below upon payment of $4.00 per exhibit to cover our costs to furnish the exhibits. Pursuant to Item 601(b)(4)(iii) of Regulation S-K, any instrument defining the rights of holders of long-term debt issues and other agreements related to indebtedness which do not exceed 10% of consolidated total assets as of December 31, 2008 will be furnished to the Commission upon request.

We will also furnish, without charge, a copy of our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, as adopted by the board of directors on February 19, 2004, upon request. Such requests should be directed to the attention of the Corporate Secretary at our corporate offices located at 5430 LBJ Freeway, Suite 1700, Dallas, TX 75240.

Item No. Exhibit Index

2.1	Form of Distribution Agreement between NL Industries, Inc. and Kronos Worldwide, Inc. – incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 of the Registration Statement on Form 10 of the Registrant (File No. 001-31763).

3.1	First Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Kronos Worldwide, Inc. – incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Registration statement on Form 10 of the Registrant (File No. 001-31763).

3.2	Amended and Restated Bylaws of Kronos Worldwide, Inc. as of October 25, 2007 – incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on October 31, 2007.

4.1	Indenture governing the 6.5% Senior Secured Notes due 2013, dated

as of April 11, 2006, between Kronos International, Inc. and The

Bank of New York, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of Kronos International, Inc. (File No. 333-100047) that was filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on April 11, 2006).

4.2	Form of certificate of Series A 6.5% Senior Secured Note due 2013 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of Kronos International, Inc. (File No. 333-100047) that was filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on April 11, 2006).

4.3	Form of certificate of Series B 6.5% Senior Secured Note due 2013 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of Kronos International, Inc. (File No. 333-100047) that was filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on April 11, 2006).

4.4

Purchase Agreement dated April 5, 2006 between Kronos International, Inc. and Deutsche Bank AG London (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of Kronos International, Inc. (File No. 333-100047) that was filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on April 11, 2006).

4.5

Registration Rights Agreement dated as of April 11, 2006 between Kronos International, Inc. and Deutsche Bank AG London (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.5 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of Kronos International, Inc. (File No. 333-100047) that was filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on April 11, 2006)

4.6

Collateral Agency Agreement, dated April 11, 2006, among The Bank of New York, U.S. Bank, N.A. and Kronos International, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.6 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of Kronos International, Inc. (File No. 333-100047) that was filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on April 11, 2006).

4.7

Security Over Shares Agreement, dated April 11, 2006, between Kronos International, Inc. and The Bank of New York (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.7 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of Kronos International, Inc. (File No. 333-100047) that was filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on April 11, 2006).

4.8

Pledge of Shares (shares in Kronos Denmark ApS), dated April 11, 2006, between Kronos International, Inc. and U.S. Bank, N.A. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.8 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of Kronos International, Inc. (File No. 333-100047) that was filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on April 11, 2006).

4.9

Pledge Agreement (shares in Societe Industrielle du Titane S.A.), dated April 11, 2006, between Kronos International, Inc. and U.S. Bank, N.A. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.9 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of Kronos International, Inc. (File No. 333-100047) that was filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on April 11, 2006)

4.10

Share Pledge Agreement (shares in Kronos Titan GmbH), dated April 11, 2006, between Kronos International, Inc. and U.S. Bank, N.A. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.10 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of Kronos International, Inc. (File No. 333-100047) that was filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on April 11, 2006).

10.1	Form of Tax Agreement between Valhi, Inc. and Kronos Worldwide, Inc. – incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Registration statement on Form 10 of the Registrant (File No. 001-31763).

10.2	Intercorporate Services Agreement by and between Contran Corporation and Kronos Worldwide, Inc., effective as of January 1, 2004 – incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of the Registrant (File No. 001-31763) for the quarter ended March 31, 2004.

10.3*

Form of Kronos Worldwide, Inc. Long-Term Incentive Plan – incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 of the Registration statement on Form 10 of the Registrant (File No. 001-31763).

10.4

Euro 80,000,000 Facility Agreement, dated June 25, 2002, among Kronos Titan GmbH & Co. OHG, Kronos Europe S.A./N.V., Kronos Titan A/S and Titania A/S, as borrowers, Kronos Titan GmbH & Co. OHG, Kronos Europe S.A./N.V. and Kronos Norge AS, as guarantors, Kronos Denmark ApS, as security provider, Deutsche Bank AG, as mandated lead arranger, Deutsche Bank Luxembourg S.A., as agent and security agent, and KBC Bank NV, as fronting bank, and the financial institutions listed in Schedule 1 thereto, as lenders - incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of NL Industries, Inc. for the quarter ended June 30, 2002.

10.5

First Amendment Agreement, dated September 3, 2004, Relating to a Facility Agreement dated June 25, 2002 among Kronos Titan GmbH, Kronos Europe S.A./N.V., Kronos Titan AS and Titania A/S, as borrowers, Kronos Titan GmbH, Kronos Europe S.A./N.V. and Kronos Norge AS, as guarantors, Kronos Denmark ApS, as security provider, with Deutsche Bank Luxembourg S.A., acting as agent – incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Current Report on Form 8-K of the Registrant dated November 17, 2004 (File No. 333-119639).

10.6

Second Amendment Agreement Relating to a Facility Agreement dated June 25, 2002 executed as of June 14, 2005 by and among Deutsche Bank AG, as mandated lead arranger, Deutsche Bank Luxembourg S.A. as agent, the participating lenders, Kronos Titan GmbH, Kronos Europe S.A./N.V, Kronos Titan AS, Kronos Norge AS, Titania AS and Kronos Denmark ApS – incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Kronos International, Inc.s’ Form 8-K dated June 14, 2005. Certain schedules, exhibits, annexes and similar attachments to this Exhibit 10.9 have not been filed; upon request, the Reporting Persons will furnish supplementally to the Commission a copy of any omitted exhibit, annex or attachment.

10.7

Third Amendment Agreement Relating to a Facility Agreement dated June 25, 2002 executed as of May 26, 2008 by and among Deutsche Bank AG, as mandated lead arranger, Deutsche Bank Luxembourg S.A., as agent, the participating lenders, Kronos Titan GmbH, Kronos Europe S.A.,/N.V, Kronos Titan AS, Kronos Norge AS, Titania AS and Kronos Denmark ApS – incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of Kronos International, Inc. (File No. 333-100047) dated May 26, 2008. Certain schedules, exhibits, annexes and similar attachments to this Exhibit 10.1 have not been files; upon request, the registrant will furnish supplementally to the Commission a copy of any omitted exhibit, annex or attachment.

10.8	$40,000,000 Unsecured Revolving Demand Promissory Note dated October 29, 2008 and payable to NL Industries, Inc. – incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K that was filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on October 29, 2008.

10.9

Lease Contract, dated June 21, 1952, between Farbenfabrieken Bayer Aktiengesellschaft and Titangesellschaft mit beschrankter Haftung (German language version and English translation thereof)- incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.14 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of NL Industries, Inc. for the year ended December 31, 1985.

10.10

Master Technology Exchange Agreement, dated as of October 18, 1993, among Kronos Worldwide, Inc. (f/k/a Kronos, Inc.), Kronos Louisiana, Inc., Kronos International, Inc., Tioxide Group Limited and Tioxide Group Services Limited - incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of NL Industries, Inc. for the quarter ended September 30, 1993.

10.11

Form of Assignment and Assumption Agreement, dated as of January 1, 1999, between Kronos Inc. (formerly known as Kronos (USA), Inc.) and Kronos International, Inc. - incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to Kronos International, Inc.'s Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-100047).

10.12

Form of Cross License Agreement, effective as of January 1, 1999, between Kronos Inc. (formerly known as Kronos (USA), Inc.) and Kronos International, Inc. - incorporated by reference to Exhibit to Kronos International, Inc.'s Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-100047).

10.13

Formation Agreement dated as of October 18, 1993 among Tioxide Americas Inc., Kronos Louisiana, Inc. and Louisiana Pigment Company, L.P. - incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to NL Industries, Inc.'s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 1993.

10.14

Joint Venture Agreement dated as of October 18, 1993 between Tioxide Americas Inc. and Kronos Louisiana, Inc. - incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to NL Industries, Inc.'s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 1993.

10.15

Kronos Offtake Agreement dated as of October 18, 1993 between Kronos Louisiana, Inc. and Louisiana Pigment Company, L.P. - incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to NL Industries, Inc.'s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 1993.

10.16

Amendment No. 1 to Kronos Offtake Agreement dated as of December 20, 1995 between Kronos Louisiana, Inc. and Louisiana Pigment Company, L.P. - incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.22 to NL Industries, Inc.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1995.

10.17

Tioxide Americas Offtake Agreement dated as of October 18, 1993 between Tioxide Americas Inc. and Louisiana Pigment Company, L.P. - incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to NL Industries, Inc.'s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 1993.

10.18

Amendment No. 1 to Tioxide Americas Offtake Agreement dated as of December 20, 1995 between Tioxide Americas Inc. and Louisiana Pigment Company, L.P. - incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.24 to NL Industries, Inc.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1995.

10.19

Parents' Undertaking dated as of October 18, 1993 between ICI American Holdings Inc. and Kronos Worldwide, Inc. (f/k/a Kronos, Inc.) - incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to NL Industries, Inc.'s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 1993.

10.20

Allocation Agreement dated as of October 18, 1993 between Tioxide Americas Inc., ICI American Holdings, Inc., Kronos Worldwide, Inc. (f/k/a Kronos, Inc.) and Kronos Louisiana, Inc. - incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 to NL Industries, Inc.'s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 1993.

10.21

Insurance sharing agreement dated October 30, 2003 by and among CompX International Inc., Contran Corporation, Keystone Consolidated Industries, Inc., Titanium Metals Corp., Valhi, Inc., NL Industries, Inc. and Kronos Worldwide, Inc. – incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.48 to NL Industries, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003.

10.22*

Summary of Consulting Arrangement beginning on August 1, 2003, as amended January 14, 2008 between Lawrence A. Wigdor and Kronos Worldwide, Inc. – incorporated by reference to Item 1.01 to the Registrant’s Current Report or Form 8-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on January 18, 2008.

21.1	Subsidiaries.

23.1	Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP.

31.1	Certification.

31.2	Certification.

32.1	Certification.

___________________________________

* Management contract, compensatory plan or arrangement

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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.

Kronos Worldwide, Inc.

(Registrant)

By:/s/ Steven L. Watson

Steven L. Watson

March 11, 2009

(Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer)

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated:

/s/ Harold C. Simmons	/s/ Steven L. Watson
Harold C. Simmons, March 11, 2009	Steven L. Watson, March 11, 2009
(Chairman of the Board)	(Vice Chairman and Chief Executive
	Officer)


/s/ George E. Poston	/s/ Glenn R. Simmons
George E. Poston, March 11, 2009	Glenn R. Simmons, March 11, 2009
(Director)	(Director)


/s/ C. H. Moore, Jr.	/s/ Keith R. Coogan
C. H. Moore, Jr., March 11, 2009	Keith R. Coogan, March 11, 2009
(Director)	(Director)


/s/ R. Gerald Turner	/s/ Gregory M. Swalwell
R. Gerald Turner, March 11, 2009	Gregory M. Swalwell, March 11, 2009
(Director)	(Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Principal Financial Officer)


	/s/ Tim C. Hafer
	Tim C. Hafer, March 11, 2009
	(Vice President, Controller, Principal Accounting Officer)

KRONOS WORLDWIDE, INC.

Annual Report on Form 10-K

Items 8, 15(a) and 15(c)

Index of Financial Statements and Schedule

Financial Statements	Page

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm	F-2

Consolidated Balance Sheets - December 31, 2007 and 2008;	F-4

Consolidated Statements of Operations -
Year ended December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008	F-6


Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) -
Year ended December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008	F-7


Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity -
Year ended December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008	F-8


Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows -
Year ended December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008	F-9


Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements	F-11

Financial Statement Schedule

Schedule I – Condensed Financial Information of Registrant	S-1

Schedules II, III and IV are omitted because they are not applicable or the required amounts are either not material or are presented in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Stockholders and Board of Directors of Kronos Worldwide, Inc.:

In our opinion, the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and the related consolidated statements of operations, of comprehensive income (loss), of changes in stockholders’ equity and of cash flows present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Kronos Worldwide, Inc. and its subsidiaries at December 31, 2007 and 2008 and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2008 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. In addition, in our opinion, the financial statement schedule listed in the accompanying index presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein when read in conjunction with the related consolidated financial statements. Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2008, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). The Company's management is responsible for these financial statements and financial statement schedule, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting appearing under Item 9A. Our responsibility is to express opinions on these financial statements, on the financial statement schedule, and on the Company's internal control over financial reporting based on our integrated audits. We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audits of the financial statements included examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.

As discussed in Note 10 and Note 17 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, the Company changed the manner in which it accounts for pension and other postretirement benefit obligations in 2006 and the manner in which it accounts for uncertain tax positions in 2007.

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Dallas, Texas

March 11, 2009

KRONOS WORLDWIDE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In millions, except per share data)

ASSETS	December 31,
	2007		2008


Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	72.2	$	13.6
Restricted cash		1.8		1.5
Accounts and other receivables		224.4		177.2
Receivable from affiliates		2.9		1.4
Inventories		312.8		385.1
Prepaid expenses		6.0		6.6
Deferred income taxes		1.6		4.1

Total current assets		621.7		589.5

Other assets:
Investment in TiO2 manufacturing joint venture		118.5		105.6
Deferred income taxes		168.8		166.4
Other		19.5		11.7

Total other assets		306.8		283.7

Property and equipment:
Land		39.7		37.5
Buildings		232.6		215.9
Equipment		1,009.8		949.8
Mining properties		89.7		73.9
Construction in progress		45.6		41.7

		1,417.4		1,318.8
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization		890.9		833.3

Net property and equipment		526.5		485.5

Total assets	$	1,455.0	$	1,358.7

KRONOS WORLDWIDE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (CONTINUED)

(In millions, except per share data)

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY	December 31,
	2007			2008

Current liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt	$	16.2		$	.8
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities		184.1			180.6
Payable to affiliates		11.3			14.7
Income taxes		9.6			3.7
Deferred income taxes		3.3			4.6

Total current liabilities		224.5			204.4

Noncurrent liabilities:
Long-term debt		590.0			637.7
Deferred income taxes		48.2			35.7
Accrued pension cost		138.3			125.5
Accrued postretirement benefits cost		11.6			8.7
Other		31.4			28.8

Total noncurrent liabilities		819.5			836.4


Stockholders' equity:
Common stock, $.01 par value; 60.0 shares authorized; 49.0 shares issued		.5			.5
Additional paid-in capital		1,061.7			1,061.8
Retained deficit		(527.9	)		(567.9	)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss):
Currency translation		(46.5	)		(89.3	)
Defined benefit pension plans		(77.1	)		(88.6	)
Postretirement benefit (OPEB) plans		.3			1.4

Total stockholders' equity		411.0			317.9

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$	1,455.0		$	1,358.7

Commitments and contingencies (Notes 9 and 14)

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

KRONOS WORLDWIDE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(In millions, except per share data)

	Years ended December 31,
	2006			2007			2008

Net sales	$	1,279.4		$	1,310.3		$	1,316.9
Cost of sales		968.9			1,058.9			1,096.3

Gross margin		310.5			251.4			220.6

Selling, general and administrative expense		158.1			162.1			167.4
Other operating income (expense):
Currency transaction gains (losses), net		(3.6	)		.2			.6
Disposition of property and equipment		(1.9	)		(.8	)		(.9	)
Other income		2.2			1.4			.9
Corporate expense		(5.8	)		(5.1	)		(6.4	)
Other expense		(.1	)		(.1	)		(.2	)

Income from operations		143.2			84.9			47.2

Other income (expense):
Trade interest income		2.3			2.2			1.0
Other interest income		1.3			.3			-
Loss on prepayment of debt		(22.3	)		-			-
Interest expense		(43.2	)		(39.4	)		(42.2	)

Income before income taxes		81.3			48.0			6.0

Provision for income taxes (benefit)		(.7	)		114.7			(3.0	)

Net income (loss)	$	82.0		$	(66.7	)	$	9.0


Net income (loss) per basic and diluted share	$	1.67		$	(1.36	)	$	.18

Basic and diluted weighted average shares used in the calculation of net income (loss) per share		49.0			49.0			49.0

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

KRONOS WORLDWIDE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

(In millions)

	Years ended December 31,
	2006		2007			2008

Net income (loss)	$	82.0	$	(66.7	)	$	9.0

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:

Currency translation		33.1		34.8			(42.8	)

Pension plans:
Amortization of prior service cost, net transition obligation and net losses included in periodic pension cost		-		6.2			.5
Net actuarial gain (loss) arising duringyear		-		41.2			(12.0	)
Minimum pension liability change		7.1		-			-

		7.1		47.4			(11.5	)

OPEB plans:
Amortization of prior service credit and net losses included in periodic OPEB cost		-		.1			(.1	)
Net actuarial gain arising during year		-		.1			1.2

		-		.2			1.1

Total other comprehensive income (loss)		40.2		82.4			(53.2	)

Comprehensive income (loss)	$	122.2	$	15.7		$	(44.2	)

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

KRONOS WORLDWIDE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

Years ended December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008

(In millions)

								Accumulated other
								comprehensive
			Additional		Retained			__ ___income (loss)_ ____
	Common		paid-in		earnings			Currency			Pension			OPEB
	stock		capital		(deficit)			translation			plans			plans		Total

Balance at December 31, 2005	$	.5	$	1,061.5	$	(439.3	)	$	(114.4	)	$	(95.8	)		-	$	412.5

Net income		-		-		82.0			-			-			-		82.0
Other comprehensive income, net of tax		-		-		-			33.1			7.1			-		40.2
Issuance of common stock		-		.1		-			-			-			-		.1
Cash dividends declared - $1.00 per share		-		-		(49.0	)		-			-			-		(49.0	)
Change in accounting – asset and liability recognition provisions of SFAS No. 158		-		-		-			-			(37.5	)		.1		(37.4	)

Balance at December 31, 2006		.5		1,061.6		(406.3	)		(81.3	)		(126.2	)		.1		448.4

Net loss		-		-		(66.7	)		-			-			-		(66.7	)
Other comprehensive income, net of tax		-		-		-			34.8			47.4			.2		82.4
Issuance of common stock		-		.1		-			-			-			-		.1
Cash dividends declared - $1.00 per share		-		-		(49.0	)		-			-			-		(49.0	)
Change in accounting:
FIN 48		-		-		(2.2	)		-			-			-		(2.2	)
SFAS No. 158 - measurement date provisions		-		-		(3.7	)		-			1.7			-		(2.0	)

Balance at December 31, 2007		.5		1,061.7		(527.9	)		(46.5	)		(77.1	)		.3		411.0

Net income		-		-		9.0			-			-			-		9.0
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax		-		-		-			(42.8	)		(11.5	)		1.1		(53.2	)
Issuance of common stock		-		.1		-			-			-			-		.1
Cash dividends declared - $1.00 per share	-			-		(49.0	)	-			-			-			(49.0	)

Balance at December 31, 2008	$	.5	$	1,061.8	$	(567.9	)	$	(89.3	)	$	(88.6	)	$	1.4	$	317.9

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

KRONOS WORLDWIDE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In millions)

	Years ended December 31,
	2006			2007			2008

Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss)	$	82.0		$	(66.7	)	$	9.0
Depreciation and amortization		44.3			48.9			51.3
Loss on prepayment of debt		22.3			-			-
Call premium paid		(20.9	)		-			-
Deferred income taxes		(28.2	)		104.8			(10.6	)
Benefit plan expense greater (less) than cash funding:
Defined benefit pension plans		(.9	)		2.1			(15.5	)
Other postretirement benefit plans		-			.4			.6
Distributions from (to) TiO2 manufacturing joint venture, net		2.3			(4.9	)		10.0
Other, net		3.1			3.4			5.1
Change in assets and liabilities:
Accounts and other receivable		1.8			6.0			20.0
Inventories		(6.1	)		5.7			(93.9	)
Prepaid expenses		(1.2	)		.6			(1.6	)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities		(5.8	)		2.6			16.7
Income taxes		(21.5	)		(8.5	)		1.8
Accounts with affiliates		(1.0	)		(2.0	)		4.1
Other noncurrent assets		.2			.2			(2.3	)
Other noncurrent liabilities		1.5			(2.6	)		8.0

Net cash provided by operating activities		71.9			90.0			2.7

Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures		(50.9	)		(47.3	)		(68.1	)
Change in restricted cash equivalents		-			(.1	)		-

Net cash used in investing activities		(50.9	)		(47.4	)		(68.1	)

KRONOS WORLDWIDE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (CONTINUED)

(In millions)

	Years ended December 31,
	2006			2007			2008

Cash flows from financing activities:
Indebtedness:
Borrowings	$	772.7		$	330.9		$	398.5
Principal payments		(749.9	)		(321.7	)		(338.0	)
Deferred financing fees		(8.8	)		-			(1.2	)
Dividends paid		(49.0	)		(49.0	)		(49.0	)

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities		(35.0	)		(39.8	)		10.3

Cash and cash equivalents - net change from:
Operating, investing and financing activities		(14.0	)		2.8			(55.1	)
Currency translation		5.3			6.1			(3.5	)

		(8.7	)		8.9			(58.6	)

Balance at beginning of year		72.0			63.3			72.2

Balance at end of year	$	63.3		$	72.2		$	13.6

Supplemental disclosures – Cash paid for:
Interest	$	33.9		$	38.4		$	41.6
Income taxes		44.3			23.5			3.8
Accrual for capital expenditures		-			9.0			6.5

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

KRONOS WORLDWIDE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 1 - Summary of significant accounting policies:

Organization and basis of presentation. At December 31, 2008, (i) Valhi, Inc. (NYSE:VHI) held approximately 59% of our outstanding common stock (ii) NL Industries, Inc. (NYSE:NL) held an additional 36% of our common stock, (iii) Valhi owned approximately 83% of NL's outstanding common stock and (iv) subsidiaries of Contran Corporation held approximately 94% of Valhi's outstanding common stock. Substantially all of Contran's outstanding voting stock is held by trusts established for the benefit of certain children and grandchildren of Harold C. Simmons (for which Mr. Simmons is the sole trustee), or is held by Mr. Simmons or other persons or related companies to Mr. Simmons. Consequently, Mr. Simmons may be deemed to control each of such companies.

Unless otherwise indicated, reference in this report to “we,” “us” or “our” refers to Kronos Worldwide, Inc. and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

Management’s estimates. In preparing our financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) we are required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amount of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results may differ significantly from previously-estimated amounts under different assumptions or conditions.

Principles of consolidation. The consolidated financial statements include our accounts and those of our majority-owned subsidiaries. We have eliminated all material intercompany accounts and balances.

Translation of foreign currencies. We translate the assets and liabilities of our subsidiaries whose functional currency is other than the U.S. dollar at year-end rates of exchange, while we translate our revenues and expenses at average exchange rates prevailing during the year. We accumulate the resulting translation adjustments in stockholders’ equity as part of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of related deferred income taxes. We recognize currency transaction gains and losses in income currently.

Derivatives and hedging activities. We recognize derivatives as either assets or liabilities measured at fair value in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (“SFAS”) No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, as amended and interpreted. We recognize the effect of changes in the fair value of derivatives either in net income (loss) or other comprehensive income (loss), depending on the intended use of the derivative.

Cash and cash equivalents. We classify bank time deposits and U.S. Treasury securities purchased under short-term agreements to resell with original maturities of three months or less as cash equivalents.

Restricted marketable debt securities. We classify marketable debt securities that have been segregated or otherwise limited in use as restricted. Restricted marketable debt securities are primarily invested in corporate debt securities, and include amounts restricted in accordance with applicable Norwegian law regarding certain requirements of our Norwegian defined benefit pension plans ($3.2 million and $3.5 million at December 31, 2007 and 2008, respectively). The restricted marketable debt securities are generally classified as either a current or noncurrent asset depending upon the maturity date of each such debt security and are carried at market which approximates cost. See Note 5.

Fair value of financial instruments. We adopted SFAS No. 157, Fair Value Measurements, which establishes a framework for measuring fair value on January 1, 2008. The statement requires fair value measurements to be classified and disclosed in one of the following three categories:

Level 1 – Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities;

Level 2 – Quoted prices in markets that are not active, or inputs which are observable, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the assets or liability; and

Level 3 – Prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable.

See Notes 16 and 17.

Accounts receivable. We provide an allowance for doubtful accounts for known and estimated potential losses arising from sales to customers based on a periodic review of these accounts.

Investment in TiO2 manufacturing joint venture. We account for our investment in a 50%-owned manufacturing joint venture by the equity method.

Property and equipment and depreciation. We state property and equipment at cost, including capitalized interest on borrowings during the actual construction period of major capital projects. Capitalized interest costs were nil in 2006, $.7 million in 2007 and $2.2 million in 2008. We compute depreciation of property and equipment for financial reporting purposes (including mining properties) principally by the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of ten to 40 years for buildings and three to 20 years for equipment. We use accelerated depreciation methods for income tax purposes, as permitted. Upon the sale or retirement of an asset, we remove the related cost and accumulated depreciation from the accounts and recognize any gain or loss in income currently.

We expense costs incurred for maintenance, repairs and minor renewals (including planned major maintenance) while we capitalize expenditures for major improvements.

We have a governmental concession with an unlimited term to operate an ilmenite mine in Norway. Mining properties consist of buildings and equipment used in our Norwegian ilmenite mining operations. While we own the land and ilmenite reserves associated with the mining operations, such land and reserves were acquired for nominal value and we have no material asset recognized for the land and reserves related to such mining operations.

We perform impairment tests when events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable. We consider all relevant factors. We perform the impairment test by comparing the estimated future undiscounted cash flows (exclusive of interest expense) associated with the asset to the asset's net carrying value to determine if a write-down to market value or discounted cash flow value is required. We assess impairment of property and equipment in accordance with SFAS No. 144, Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets.

Long-term debt. We state long-term debt net of any unamortized original issue premium or discount. We classify amortization of deferred financing costs and any premium or discount associated with the issuance of indebtedness as interest expense and compute such amortization by the interest method over the term of the applicable issue.

Employee benefit plans. Accounting and funding policies for our retirement plans are described in Note 10.

Income taxes. We, Valhi and our qualifying subsidiaries are members of Contran’s consolidated U.S. federal income tax group (the "Contran Tax Group") and we and certain of our qualifying subsidiaries also file consolidated income tax returns with Contran in various U.S. state jurisdictions. As a member of the Contran Tax Group, we are jointly and severally liable for the federal income tax liability of Contran and the other companies included in the Contran Tax Group for all periods in which we are included in the Contran Tax Group. See Note 14. As a member of the Contran Tax Group, we are a party to a tax sharing agreement which provides that we compute our provision for U.S. income taxes on a separate-company basis using the tax elections made by Contran. Pursuant to the tax sharing agreement, we make payments to or receive payments from Valhi in amounts we would have paid to or received from the U.S. Internal Revenue Service or the applicable state tax authority had we not been a member of the Contran Tax Group. We made net payments of income taxes to Valhi of $5.0 million in 2006 and $3.0 million in 2007, and we received net refunds from Valhi of $2.7 million in 2008.

We recognize deferred income tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the income tax and financial reporting carrying amounts of assets and liabilities, including investments in our subsidiaries and affiliates who are not members of the Contran Tax Group and undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries which are not deemed to be permanently reinvested. The earnings of foreign subsidiaries subject to permanent reinvestment plans aggregated $714 million at December 31, 2007 and $700 million at December 31, 2008. It is not practical for us to determine the amount of the unrecognized deferred income tax liability related to such earnings due to the complexities associated with the U.S. taxation on earnings of foreign subsidiaries repatriated to the U.S. We periodically evaluate our deferred tax assets in the various taxing jurisdictions in which we operate and adjust any related valuation allowance based on the estimate of the amount of such deferred tax assets that we believe does not meet the more-likely-than-not recognition criteria.

Prior to 2007, we provided a reserve for uncertain income tax positions when we believed the benefit associated with a tax position was not probable of prevailing with the applicable tax authority and the amount of the lost benefit associated with such tax position was reasonably estimable. Beginning in 2007, we record a reserve for uncertain tax positions in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board Interpretation No. (“FIN”) 48, Accounting for Uncertain Tax Positions, for tax positions where we believe it is more-likely-than-not our position will not prevail with the applicable tax authorities. See Note 17.

Net sales. We record sales when products are shipped and title and other risks and rewards of ownership have passed to the customer, or when services are performed. Shipping terms of products shipped are generally FOB shipping point, although in some instances shipping terms are FOB destination point (for which we do not recognize sales until the product is received by the customer). We state sales net of price, early payment and distributor discounts and volume rebates. We report any tax assessed by a governmental authority that we collect from our customers that is both imposed on and concurrent with our revenue-producing activities (such as sales, use, value added and excise taxes) on a net basis (meaning we do not recognize these taxes either in our revenues or in our costs and expenses).

Inventories and cost of sales. We state inventories at the lower of cost (principally average cost) or market, net of allowance for slow-moving inventories. Unallocated overhead costs resulting from periods with abnormally low production levels are charged to expense in the period incurred. We remove amounts from inventories at average cost. Cost of sales includes costs for materials, packing and finishing, utilities, salary and benefits, maintenance and depreciation.

Selling, general and administrative expense; shipping and handling costs. Selling, general and administrative expense includes costs related to marketing, sales, distribution, shipping and handling, research and development, legal, and administrative functions such as accounting, treasury and finance, and includes costs for salaries and benefits, travel and entertainment, promotional materials and professional fees. We include shipping and handling costs in selling, general and administrative expense and these costs were $81 million in 2006, $82 million in 2007 and $91 million in 2008. We expense advertising costs as incurred and these costs were $1 million in each of 2006, 2007 and 2008. We expense research, development and certain sales technical support costs as incurred and these costs approximated $11 million in 2006 and $12 million in 2007 and 2008.

Note 2 - Geographic information:

Our operations are associated with the production and sale of titanium dioxide pigments (“TiO2”). Titanium dioxide pigments are used to impart whiteness, brightness and opacity to a wide variety of products, including paints, plastics, paper, fibers and ceramics. At December 31, 2007 and 2008 the net assets of non-U.S. subsidiaries included in consolidated net assets approximated $274 million and $201 million, respectively.

For geographic information, we attribute net sales to the place of manufacture (point of origin) and to the location of the customer (point of destination); we attribute property and equipment to their physical location.

	Years ended December 31, __
	2006			2007			2008
	(In millions)

Geographic areas
Net sales – point of origin:
Germany	$	672.0		$	700.6		$	694.8
United States		527.7			515.8			498.8
Belgium		192.8			209.7			207.7
Canada		212.8			208.0			197.2
Norway		173.5			184.3			194.3
Eliminations		(499.4	)		(508.1	)	(475.9		)

Total	$	1,279.4		$	1,310.3		$	1,316.9

Net sales – point of destination:
Europe	$	730.6		$	809.6		$	812.5
North America		424.1			374.7			368.8
Other		124.7			126.0			135.6

Total	$	1,279.4		$	1,310.3		$	1,316.9

	December 31,
	2007		2008
	(In millions)

Identifiable assets -
net property and equipment:
Germany	$	291.0	$	273.5
Belgium		70.5		64.5
Norway		89.0		83.4
Canada		72.5		58.3
Other		3.5	5.8

Total	$	526.5	$	485.5

Note 3 - Accounts and other receivables:

	December 31,
	2007			2008
	(In millions)

Trade receivables	$	189.9		$	155.6
Recoverable VAT and other receivables		28.7			22.2
Refundable income taxes		7.5			1.2
Allowance for doubtful accounts		(1.7	)		(1.8	)

Total	$	224.4		$	177.2

Note 4 - Inventories

	December 31,
	2007		2008
	(In millions)

Raw materials	$	66.2	$	67.1
Work in process		19.9		19.8
Finished products		170.9		243.0
Supplies		55.8		55.2

Total	$	312.8	$	385.1

Note 5 - Other noncurrent assets:

	December 31,
	2007		2008
	(In millions)

Deferred financing costs, net	$	8.3	$	7.1
Pension asset		7.2		-
Restricted marketable debt securities		3.2		3.5
Other		.8		1.1

Total	$	19.5	$	11.7

The aggregate cost of the restricted marketable debt securities approximates their net carrying value at December 31, 2007 and 2008. The fair value of these securities is generally determined using Level 1 inputs as defined in SFAS no. 157 because these securities are actively traded and the year end valuation is based on the last trade of the respective year. See Notes 16 and 17.

Note 6 - Investment in TiO2 manufacturing joint venture:

We own a 50% interest in Louisiana Pigment Company, L.P. (“LPC”). LPC is a manufacturing joint venture whose other 50%-owner is Tioxide Americas Inc. (“Tioxide”). Tioxide is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Huntsman Corporation. LPC owns and operates a chloride-process TiO2 plant in Lake Charles, Louisiana.

We and Tioxide are both required to purchase one-half of the TiO2 produced by LPC. LPC operates on a break-even basis and, accordingly, we report no equity in earnings of LPC. Each owner’s acquisition transfer price for its share of the TiO2 produced is equal to its share of the joint venture’s production costs and interest expense, if any. Our share of net cost is reported as cost of sales as the related TiO2 acquired from LPC is sold. We report distributions we receive from LPC, which generally relate to excess cash generated by LPC from its non-cash production costs, and contributions we make to LPC, which generally relate to cash required by LPC when it builds working capital, as part of our cash flows from operating activities in our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. The net of these distributions and contributions is reported during the periods they occur. Net distributions from LPC were $2.3 million in 2006 and $10.0 million in 2008, and net contributions to LPC were $4.9 million in 2007. These amounts are stated net of contributions of $11.9 million in 2006 and $10.6 million in 2008, and stated net of distributions of $8.0 million in 2007.

Summary balance sheets of LPC are shown below:

	December 31,
	2007		2008
	(In millions)
ASSETS
Current assets	$	68.3	$	68.9
Property and equipment, net		195.2		181.7

Total assets	$	263.5	$	250.6

LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS’ EQUITY

Other liabilities, primarily current	$	23.8	$	36.7
Partners’ equity		239.7		213.9

Total liabilities and partners’ equity	$	263.5	$	250.6

Summary income statements of LPC are shown below:

	Years ended December 31,
	2006		2007		2008
	(In millions)

Revenues and other income:
Kronos	$	124.2	$	124.6	$	140.3
Tioxide		125.2		125.0		140.7
Interest		.4		.5		-

		249.8		250.1		281.0
Cost and expenses:
Cost of sales		249.3		249.6		280.5
General and administrative		.5		.5		.5

		249.8		250.1		281.0

Net income	$	-	$	-	$	-

On September 22, 2005, LPC temporarily halted production due to Hurricane Rita. Although storm damage to core processing facilities was not extensive, a variety of factors, including loss of utilities, limited access and availability of employees and raw materials, prevented the resumption of partial operations until October 9, 2005 and full operations until late 2005. The majority of LPC’s property damage and unabsorbed fixed costs, for periods in which normal production levels were not achieved, were covered by insurance, and insurance covered our lost profits (subject to applicable deductibles) resulting from our share of the lost production from LPC. Both we and LPC filed claims with our insurers. We recognized income of $1.8 million related to our business interruption claim in the fourth quarter of 2006, which is included in other income on our Consolidated Statement of Operations.

Note 7 -Accounts payable and accrued liabilities:

	December 31,
	2007		2008
	(In millions)

Accounts payable	$	105.7	$	113.5
Employee benefits		26.5		23.4
Accrued sales discounts and rebates		15.2		14.9
Accrued interest		8.2		7.8
Other		28.5		21.0

Total	$	184.1	$	180.6

Note 8 - Long-term debt:

	December 31,
	2007		2008
	(In millions)

Kronos International, Inc. 6.5% Senior Secured Notes	$	585.5	$	560.0
Revolving credit facilities:
U.S. bank credit facility		15.4		13.7
European credit facility		-		42.2
Note payable to affiliate		-		19.2
Other		5.3		3.4

Total debt		606.2		638.5
Less current maturities		16.2	.8

Total long-term debt	$	590.0	$	637.7

Senior Secured Notes. On April 11, 2006, Kronos International, Inc. (“KII”), one of our wholly-owned subsidiaries, issued an aggregate of euro 400 million principal amount of new 6.5% Senior Secured Notes due April 2013, at 99.306% of their principal amount ($498.5 million when issued) to yield an effective interest rate of 7.1%. These Senior Secured Notes are collateralized by a pledge of 65% of the common stock or other ownership interests of certain of our first-tier European operating subsidiaries. Such operating subsidiaries are Kronos Titan GmbH, Kronos Denmark ApS, Kronos Limited and Societe Industrielle Du Titane, S.A. We issued the 6.5% Notes pursuant to an indenture which contains a number of covenants and restrictions which, among other things, restricts our ability to incur debt, incur liens, pay dividends or merge or consolidate with, or sell or transfer all or substantially all of the assets of these subsidiaries to, another entity. At our option, we may redeem the 6.5% Notes on or after October 15, 2009 at redemption prices ranging from 103.25% of the principal amount, declining to 100% on or after October 15, 2012. In addition, on or before April 15, 2009, we may redeem up to 35% of the 6.5% Notes with the net proceeds of a qualified public equity offering at 106.5% of the principal amount. In the event of a change of control, as defined, we would be required to make an offer to purchase the 6.5% Notes at 101% of the principal amount. We would also be required to make an offer to purchase a specified portion of the 6.5% Notes at par value in the event we generate a certain amount of net proceeds from the sale of assets outside the ordinary course of business, and such net proceeds are not otherwise used for specified purposes within a specified time period. See Note 16. The indenture also contains certain cross-default provisions, as discussed below. At December 31, 2008, the carrying amount of the Notes includes euro 1.7 million ($2.4 million) of unamortized original issue discount (2007 – euro 2.1 million, or $3.1 million).

We used the proceeds from the 6.5% Notes to fund the May 2006 redemption of our 8.875% Senior Secured Notes at 104.437% of the aggregate principal amount of euro 375 million for an aggregate of $491.4 million, including the $20.9 million call premium. We recognized a $22.3 million pre-tax interest charge in 2006 related to the prepayment of the 8.875% Notes, consisting of the call premium on the 8.875% Notes and the write-off of deferred financing costs and unamortized premium related to the notes.

Revolving credit facilities.

Europe - Our operating subsidiaries in Germany, Belgium, Norway and Denmark have a euro 80 million secured revolving bank credit facility that matures in May 2011. We may denominate borrowings in euros, Norwegian kroner or U.S. dollars. Outstanding borrowings bear interest at the applicable interbank market rate plus 1.75% (4.49% at December 31, 2008). We may also issue up to euro 5 million of letters of credit under the facility. The credit facility is collateralized by the accounts receivable and inventories of the borrowers, plus a limited pledge of all of the other assets of the Belgian borrower. The credit facility contains certain restrictive covenants which, among other things, restrict the ability of the borrowers to incur debt, incur liens, pay dividends or merge or consolidate with, or sell or transfer all or substantially all of their assets to, another entity. In addition, the credit facility contains customary cross-default provisions with respect to other debt and obligations of the borrowers, KII and its other subsidiaries. At December 31, 2008, we had borrowed a net euro 30.0 million ($42.2 million) under the European Credit Facility, and the equivalent of $70.3 million was available for additional borrowing by the subsidiaries, subject to being in compliance with financial covenants or obtaining a waiver or amendment to the credit facility, as more fully described in Restrictions and Other.

United States - Certain of our U.S. subsidiaries have a $70 million revolving credit facility that matures in September 2011. The facility is collateralized by the accounts receivable, inventories and certain fixed assets of the borrowers. Borrowings under this facility are limited to the lesser of $70 million or a formula-determined amount based upon the accounts receivable and inventories of the borrowers. Borrowings bear interest at either the prime rate (prime plus 0.25% in some cases) or rates based upon the eurodollar rate plus a range of 2.25% to 2.75% (3.25% at December 31, 2008). The facility contains certain restrictive covenants which, among other things, restricts the abilities of the borrowers to incur debt, incur liens, pay dividends in certain circumstances, sell assets or enter into mergers. At December 31, 2008, $29.0 million was available for additional borrowing under the facility.

Canada - Our Canadian subsidiary has a Cdn. $30 million revolving credit facility that had a maturity date of January 15, 2009. Prior to maturity we temporarily extended the borrowing terms of this agreement and we are in the process of renegotiating this facility on a month-to-month basis expecting a new agreement in place in the first quarter 2009. The facility is collateralized by the accounts receivable and inventories of the borrower. Borrowings under this facility are limited to the lesser of Cdn. $26 million or a formula-determined amount based upon the accounts receivable and inventories of the borrower. Borrowings bear interest at rates based upon either the Canadian prime rate, the U.S. prime rate or LIBOR. The facility contains certain restrictive covenants which, among other things, restrict the ability of the borrower to incur debt, incur liens, pay dividends in certain circumstances, sell assets or enter into mergers. At December 31, 2008, no amounts were outstanding and the equivalent of $12.9 million was available for borrowing under the facility.

Note payable to affiliate. In October 2008 the independent members of the Board of Directors of both us and NL approved terms for us borrowing up to $40 million from NL, see Note 13. Our borrowings from NL under the revolving note are unsecured, bear interest at prime rate minus 1.5% (1.759% at December 31, 2008) with all principal due on demand (and no later than December 31, 2009). The amount of the outstanding borrowings at any time is solely at the discretion of NL. At December 31, 2008 we our borrowings under this revolving note with NL, were classified as a noncurrent liability because we have the ability and intent to refinance the outstanding amount payable by using borrowing availability under our U.S. revolving credit facility that matures in September 2011.

Under the cross-default provisions of the 6.5% Notes, the 6.5% Notes may be accelerated prior to their stated maturity if KII or any of KII’s subsidiaries default under any other indebtedness in excess of $20 million due to a failure to pay such other indebtedness at its due date (including any due date that arises prior to the stated maturity as a result of a default under such other indebtedness). Under the cross-default provisions of the European credit facility, any outstanding borrowings under the facility may be accelerated prior to their stated maturity if the borrowers or KII default under any other indebtedness in excess of euro 5 million due to a failure to pay such other indebtedness at its due date (including any due date that arises prior to the stated maturity as a result of a default under such other indebtedness). Under the cross-default provisions of our U.S. credit facility, any outstanding borrowing under such facility may be accelerated prior to its stated maturity in the event of our bankruptcy. The Canadian revolving credit facility contains no cross-default provisions. The European, U.S. and Canadian revolving credit facilities each contain provisions that allow the lender to accelerate the maturity of the applicable facility in the event of a change of control, as defined, of the applicable borrower. In the event any of these cross-default or change-of-control provisions become applicable, and such indebtedness is accelerated, we would be required to repay such indebtedness prior to their stated maturity.

Aggregate maturities of long-term debt at December 31, 2008 are shown in the table below.

Years ending December 31,	_____Amount____
	(In millions)

2009	$	.8
2010		.8
2011		76.0
2012		.9
2013		560.0

Total	$	638.5

Restrictions and Other. Certain of the credit facilities described above require the respective borrower to maintain minimum levels of equity, require the maintenance of certain financial ratios, limit dividends and additional indebtedness and contain other provisions and restrictive covenants customary in lending transactions of this type. While we were in compliance with all of our debt covenants at December 31, 2008, we currently believe it is probable that one of our required financial ratios associated with our European credit facility (the ratio of net secured debt to earnings before income taxes, interest and depreciation, as defined) will not be maintained at some point during 2009, most likely commencing at March 31, 2009. In 2009, we have begun to reduce our production levels in response to the current economic environment, which we anticipate will favorably impact our liquidity and cash flows by reducing our inventory levels. However, the reduced capacity utilization levels will negatively impact our 2009 results of operations due to the resulting unabsorbed fixed production costs that will be charged to expense as incurred. As a result, we may not be able to maintain the required financial ratio throughout 2009.

In the event we would not be successful in obtaining the amendment or waiver of the existing European credit facility to eliminate the requirement to maintain the financial ratio, we would seek to refinance such facility with a new group of lenders with terms that did not include such financial covenant or, if required, use our existing liquidity resources (which could include funds provided by our affiliates). While there is no assurance that we would be able to refinance the existing European credit facility with a new group of lenders, we believe these other sources of liquidity available to us would allow us to refinance the existing European credit facility. If required, we believe by undertaking one or more of these steps we would be successful in maintaining sufficient liquidity to meet our future obligations including operations, capital expenditures and debt service for the next 12 months.

At December 31, 2008, the restricted net assets of consolidated subsidiaries approximated $90 million. At December 31, 2008, there were no restrictions on our ability to pay dividends. The terms of the indenture governing the Senior Secured Notes limits KII’s ability to pay dividends and make other restricted payments. At December 31, 2008, the maximum amount of dividends and other restricted payments that KII could make (the “Restricted Payment Basket”) was approximately $52 million. However, the indenture currently prohibits KII from utilizing such Restricted Payment Basket because KII has not met a specified financial ratio; such prohibition will continue until such time as KII meets the specified financial ratio.

Note 9 – Income taxes:

	Years ended December 31,
	2006			2007			2008
	(In millions)

Pre-tax income:
U.S.	$	9.4		$	.6		$	(.2	)
Non-U.S.		71.9			47.4			6.2

Total	$	81.3		$	48.0		$	6.0

Expected tax expense, at U.S. federal statutory income tax rate of 35%	$	28.5		$	16.8		$	2.1
Non-U.S. tax rates		(1.6	)		.3			(.4	)
German tax attribute adjustment		(21.7	)		8.7			(7.2	)
Incremental U.S. tax and rate differences on equity in earnings of non-tax group companies		2.3			(1.7	)		(.1	)
Nondeductible expenses		4.4			2.9			2.3
U.S. state income taxes, net		1.1			(.5	)		1.0
Tax contingency reserve adjustment, net		(10.7	)		(2.0	)		.1
Foreign tax rate changes		(1.1	)		91.0			(.1	)
Assessment (refund) of prior year income taxes		(1.4	)		(.9	)		.1
Nontaxable Income		(.5	)		(.8	)		(.9	)
Other, net		-			.9			.1

Provision for income taxes (benefit)	$	(.7	)	$	114.7		$	(3.0	)

	Years ended December 31,
	2006			2007			2008
	(In millions)

Components of income tax expense (benefit):
Currently payable (refundable):
U.S. federal and state	$	5.5		$	(1.2	)	$	(.1	)
Non-U.S.		22.0			10.9			7.7

		27.5			9.7			7.6
Deferred income taxes (benefit):
U.S. federal and state		.4			(1.5	)		-
Non-U.S.		(28.6	)		106.5			(10.6	)

		(28.2	)		105.0			(10.6	)

Provision for income taxes (benefit)	$	(.7	)	$	114.7		$	(3.0	)

Comprehensive provision for income taxes allocable to:
Net income	$	(.7	)	$	114.7		$	(3.0	)
Other comprehensive income -
Pension plans		7.1			28.5			(6.2	)
OPEB		-			.1			.4
Adoption of SFAS No. 158:
Pension plans		(20.0	)		(1.2	)		-
OPEB		.3			-			-

Total	$	(13.3	)	$	142.1		$	(8.8	)

The components of our net deferred income taxes at December 31, 2007 and 2008, and changes in the deferred income tax valuation allowance during 2007 and 2008, are summarized in the following tables. There was no valuation allowance recognized during 2006.

	December 31,
	2007						2008
	Assets			Liabilities			Assets			Liabilities
	(In millions)
Tax effect of temporary differences related to:
Inventories	$	.6		$	(3.0	)	$	1.0		$	(4.3	)
Property and equipment		.1			(58.8	)		.1			(56.2	)
Accrued postretirement benefits other than pension (“OPEB”) costs		3.6			-			2.8			-
Pension asset		-			(2.3	)		-			-
Accrued pension cost		8.2			-			6.7			-
Other accrued liabilities and deductible differences		23.5			-			21.6			-
Other taxable differences		-			(5.2	)		-			(4.9	)
Tax on unremitted earnings of non-U.S. subsidiaries		-			(3.5	)		-			(2.5	)
Tax loss and tax credit carryforwards		158.7			-			167.1			-
Valuation allowance		(3.0	)		-			(1.2	)		-
Adjusted gross deferred tax assets (liabilities)		191.7			(72.8	)		198.1			(67.9	)
Netting of items by tax jurisdiction		(21.3	)		21.3			(27.6	)		27.6
		170.4			(51.5	)		170.5			(40.3	)
Less net current deferred tax asset (liability)		1.6			(3.3	)		4.1			(4.6	)

Net noncurrent deferred tax asset (liability)	$	168.8		$	(48.2	)	$	166.4		$	(35.7	)

	Years ended December 31,
	2007		2008
	(In Millions)

Changes in Valuation Allowance:
Increase in certain deductible temporary differences which the Company believes do not meet the “more-likely-than-not” recognition criteria	$	-	$	0.1
Offset to the change in gross deferred income tax assets due to the redetermination of certain tax attributes		3.0		0.1
Reduction of valuation allowance due to the expiration of certain tax attributes		-		(2.0	)
	$	3.0	$	(1.8	)

Tax authorities are examining certain of our non-U.S. tax returns and have or may propose tax deficiencies, including penalties and interest. We have received a notice of proposed adjustment from the Canadian tax authorities related to the years 2002 through 2004. We object to the proposed assessment and we intend to formally respond to the Canadian tax authorities in March 2009. Because of the inherent uncertainties involved in the settlement of the potential exposure, if any, the final outcome is also uncertain. We believe that we have provided adequate reserves.

During the second quarter of 2008, we recognized a $7.2 million non-cash deferred income tax benefit related to a European Court ruling that resulted in the favorable resolution of certain income tax issues in Germany and an increase in the amount of our German corporate and trade tax net operating loss carryforwards.

Following a European Union Court of Justice decision and subsequent proceedings which concluded in the second quarter of 2007 that we believe may favorably impact us, we initiated a new tax planning strategy. If we are successful, we would generate a substantial cash tax benefit in the form of refunds of income taxes we have previously paid in Europe which we currently do not expect would affect our future earnings when received. It may be a number of years before we know if our implementation of this tax planning strategy will be successful, and accordingly we have not currently recognized any refundable income taxes that we might ultimately receive. Partially as a result of and consistent with our initiation of this tax planning strategy, in the second quarter of 2007 we amended prior-year income tax returns in Germany. As a consequence of amending our tax returns, our German corporate and trade tax net operating loss carryforwards were reduced by an aggregate of euro 13.4 million and euro 22.6 million, respectively, and, accordingly, we recognized an $8.7 million provision for deferred income taxes in the second quarter of 2007 related to the adjustment of our German tax attributes.

In August 2007, Germany enacted certain changes in their income tax laws. The most significant change is the reduction of the German corporate and trade income tax rates. We have a significant net deferred income tax asset in Germany, primarily related to the benefit associated with our corporate and trade tax net operating loss carryforwards. We measure our net deferred taxes using the applicable enacted tax rates, and the effect of any change in the applicable enacted tax rate is recognized in the period of enactment. Accordingly, we reported a decrease in our net deferred tax asset in Germany of $90.8 million in the third quarter of 2007, which is recognized as a component of our provision for income taxes.

Principally as a result of the withdrawal of certain Belgian and Norwegian assessments and the resolution of our ongoing income tax audits in Germany, we recognized a $10.7 million income tax benefit in 2006 related to the total reduction in our income tax contingency reserve.

Due to the favorable resolution of certain income tax audits related to our German and Belgian operations during 2006, we recognized a net $1.4 million income tax benefit related to adjustments of prior year income taxes.

Due to the resolution of certain income tax audits in Germany, we also recognized a $21.7 million income tax benefit in 2006 primarily related to an increase in the amount of our German trade tax net operating loss carryforward. The increase resulted from a reallocation of expenses between our German units related to periods in which such units did not file on a consolidated basis for German trade tax purposes, with the net result that the amount of our German trade tax carryforward recognized by the German tax authorities has increased.

In June 2006, Canada enacted a 2% reduction in the Canadian federal income tax rate and the elimination of the federal surtax. The 2% reduction is phased in from 2008 to 2010, and the federal surtax was eliminated as of January 1, 2008. As a result, in 2006, we recognized a $1.1 million income tax benefit related to the effect of such reduction on our previously-recorded net deferred income tax liability.

Income tax examinations related to our operations continue, and we cannot guarantee that these tax matters will be resolved in our favor due to the inherent uncertainties involved in settlement initiatives and court and tax proceedings. We believe we have adequate accruals for additional taxes and related interest expense which could ultimately result from tax examinations. We believe the ultimate disposition of tax examinations should not have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or liquidity.

At December 31, 2008, we had the equivalent of $817 million and $229 million of net operating loss carryforwards for German corporate and trade tax purposes, respectively, all of which have no expiration date.

Note 10 – Employee benefit plans:

Defined contribution plans. We maintain various defined contribution pension plans with our contributions based on matching or other formulas. Defined contribution plan expense approximated $.6 million in 2006, $.5 million in 2007 and $.9 million in 2008.

Changes in Accounting - defined benefit and postretirement benefits other than pensions (“OPEB”) plans. In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 158, Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans. SFAS No. 158 requires us to recognize an asset or liability for the over or under funded status of each of our individual defined benefit pension and postretirement benefit plans on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. This standard does not change the existing recognition and measurement requirements that determine the amount of periodic benefit cost we recognize in net income.

We adopted the asset and liability recognition and disclosure requirements of SFAS No. 158 effective December 31, 2006 on a prospective basis, in which we recognized through other comprehensive income all of our prior unrecognized gains and losses and prior service costs or credits, net of tax, as of December 31, 2006. The effect of adopting the asset and liability recognition requirements of this standard resulted in a $37.4 million net decrease in our accumulated other comprehensive income, consisting of a $37.5 million loss related to our defined benefit pension plans and $.1 million of income related to our postretirement benefit plans. Starting January 1, 2007, we recognize all changes in the funded status of these plans through comprehensive income, net of tax. Any future changes will be recognized either in net income, to the extent they are reflected in periodic benefit cost, or through other comprehensive income.

Prior to December 31, 2007 we used September 30 as a measurement date for our defined benefit pension plans. In accordance with the measurement date requirements of SFAS No. 158, effective December 31, 2007 we commenced to use a December 31 measurement date for all of our defined benefit pension plans using a 15 month net periodic benefit cost based on the September 30, 2006 actuarial valuations. Accordingly, four-fifths of the net periodic benefit cost for such 15-month period has been included in the determination of our net income for 2007, and one-fifth of the net periodic benefit cost for such 15-month period, net of income taxes, has been allocated as a direct adjustment to our retained deficit in accordance with the transition provisions of the standard to reflect the change in measurement dates. To the extent the net periodic benefit cost included amortization of unrecognized actuarial losses, prior service cost and net transition obligations, which were previously recognized as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income at December 31, 2006, the effect on retained earnings, net of income taxes, was offset by a change in our accumulated other comprehensive income.

Defined benefit plans. We maintain various defined benefit pension plans. Non-U.S. employees are covered by plans in their respective countries and a majority of U.S. employees are eligible to participate in a contributory savings plan.

We expect to contribute the equivalent of approximately $18 million to all of our defined benefit pension plans during 2009. Benefit payments to plan participants out of plan assets are expected to be the equivalent of:

Years ending December 31,	Amount
	(In millions)

2009	$	20.8
2010		21.1
2011		21.4
2012		23.4
2013		21.4
Next 5 years		116.2

The funded status of our defined benefit pension plans is presented in the table below.

	Years ended December 31,
	2007			2008
	(In millions)
Change in projected benefit obligations (“PBO”):
Benefit obligations at beginning of the year	$	460.1		$	455.5
Change in measurement date, net		7.1			-
Service cost		7.9			9.6
Interest cost		22.0			18.8
Participant contributions		2.1			1.8
Plan amendments		4.4			-
Actuarial gains		(70.2	)		(23.7	)
Change in foreign currency exchange rates		52.8			(47.3	)
Benefits paid		(30.7	)		(25.3	)

Benefit obligations at end of the year	$	455.5		$	389.4

Change in plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of the year	$	279.8		$	324.3
Change in measurement date, net		(2.1	)		-
Actual return on plan assets		12.6			(21.4	)
Employer contributions		27.1			20.8
Participant contributions		2.1			1.9
Change in foreign currency exchange rates		35.5			(36.5	)
Benefits paid		(30.7	)		(25.3	)

Fair value of plan assets at end of year	$	324.3		$	263.8

Funded status	$	(131.2	)	$	(125.6	)

Amounts recognized in the balance sheet:
Pension asset	$	7.2		$	-
Accrued pension costs:
Current		(.1	)		(.1	)
Noncurrent		(138.3	)		(125.5	)

Total	$	(131.2	)	$	(125.6	)

Accumulated other comprehensive loss:
Actuarial losses	$	111.5		$	127.1
Prior service cost		6.6			5.6
Net transition obligations		3.7			3.2

Total	$	121.8		$	135.9

Accumulated benefit obligations (“ABO”)	$	384.4		$	357.1

The amounts shown in the table above for actuarial losses, prior service cost and net transition obligations at December 31, 2007 and 2008 have not yet been recognized as components of our periodic defined benefit pension cost as of those dates. These amounts will be recognized as components of our periodic defined benefit cost in future years. In accordance with SFAS No. 158, these amounts, net of deferred income taxes, are recognized in our accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) at December 2007 and 2008. We expect approximately $5.4 million, $.8 million and $.5 million of the unrecognized actuarial losses, prior service costs and net transition obligations, respectively, as of December 31, 2008 will be recognized as components of our net periodic defined benefit pension cost in 2009.

The table below details the changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) during 2007 and 2008.

	Year Ended December 31,
	2007			2008
	(In millions)
Changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other comprehensive income (loss):
Current year:
Net actuarial gain (loss)	$	70.4		$	(15.0	)
Plan amendment		(4.4	)		-
Amortization of unrecognized:
Prior service cost		.7			.9
Net transition obligations		.5			.5
Net actuarial losses (gains)		8.5			(.8	)
Change in measurement date:
Prior service cost		.2			-
Net transition obligations		.1			-
Net actuarial losses		2.4		-

Total	$	78.4		$	(14.4	)

The components of our net periodic defined benefit pension cost are presented in the table below. In the fourth quarter of 2008 we recognized a $6.9 million adjustment in connection with the correction of our pension expense previously recognized for 2006 and 2007. The $6.9 million adjustment consisted of $2.0 million of service cost, $4.1 million of interest cost credit and $4.8 million of recognized actuarial gains. The amounts shown below for the amortization of prior service cost, net transition obligations and recognized actuarial losses for 2007 and 2008 were recognized as components of our accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) at December 31, 2006 and 2007, respectively, net of deferred income taxes.

	Years ended December 31,
	2006			2007			2008
	(In millions)

Net periodic pension cost:
Service cost benefits	$	7.6		$	7.9		$	9.6
Interest cost on PBO		19.0			22.0			18.8
Expected return on plan assets		(15.9	)		(17.2	)		(20.2	)
Amortization of prior service cost		.6			.7			.9
Amortization of net transition obligations		.4			.5			.5
Recognized actuarial losses (gains)		8.7			8.5			(.8	)

Total	$	20.4		$	22.4		$	8.8

Certain information concerning our defined benefit pension plans is presented in the table below.

	December 31,
	2007		2008
	(In millions)

PBO at end of the year:
U.S. plans	$	14.1	$	13.9
Non-U.S. plans		441.4		375.5

Total	$	455.5	$	389.4

Fair value of plan assets at end of the year:
U.S. plans	$	20.5	$	11.1
Non-U.S. plans		303.8		252.7

Total	$	324.3	$	263.8

Plans for which the ABO exceeds plan assets:
PBO	$	287.4	$	339.5
ABO		240.6		316.5
Fair value of plan assets		164.4		219.5

The weighted-average rate assumptions used in determining the actuarial present value of benefit obligations as of December 31, 2007 and 2008 are presented in the table below. Such weighted-average rates were determined using the projected benefit obligations at each date.

Rate	December 31,
	2007			2008

Discount rate		5.5	%		5.9	%
Increase in future compensation levels		3.0	%		3.2	%

The weighted-average rate assumptions used in determining the net periodic pension cost for 2006, 2007 and 2008 are presented in the table below. The weighted-average discount rate and the weighted-average increase in future compensation levels were determined using the projected benefit obligations as of the beginning of each year, and the weighted-average long-term return on plan assets was determined using the fair value of plan assets as of the beginning of each year.

Rate	Years ended December 31,
	2006			2007			2008

Discount rate		4.3	%		4.7	%		5.5	%
Increase in future compensation levels		2.8	%		3.0	%		3.0	%
Long-term return on plan assets		6.1	%		6.2	%		6.2	%

Variances from actuarially assumed rates will result in increases or decreases in accumulated pension obligations, pension expense and funding requirements in future periods.

·	In Germany, the composition of our plan assets is established to satisfy the requirements of the German insurance commissioner.

·	In Canada, we currently have a plan asset target allocation of 60% to equity managers and 40% to fixed income managers. We expect the long-term rate of return for such investments to average approximately 125 basis points above the applicable equity or fixed income index.

·	In Norway, we currently have a plan asset target allocation of 14% to equity managers, 64% to fixed income managers and the remainder primarily to liquid investments such as money markets. The expected long-term rate of return for such investments is approximately 9.0%, 5.0% and 4.0%, respectively.

In the U.S., all of the assets were invested in The Combined Master Retirement Trust (“CMRT”), a collective investment trust sponsored by Contran to permit the collective investment by certain master trusts which fund certain employee benefit plans sponsored by Contran and certain of its affiliates.

The CMRT’s long-term investment objective is to provide a rate of return exceeding a composite of broad market equity and fixed income indices (including the S&P 500 and certain Russell indices) utilizing both third-party investment managers as well as investments directed by Mr. Simmons. Mr. Simmons is the sole trustee of the CMRT. The trustee of the CMRT, along with the CMRT’s investment committee, of which Mr. Simmons is a member, actively manage the investments of the CMRT. Such parties have in the past, and may in the future, periodically change the asset mix of the CMRT based upon, among other things, advice they receive from third-party advisors and their expectations as to what asset mix will generate the greatest overall return. For the years ended December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008, the assumed long-term rate of return for plan assets invested in the CMRT was 10%. In determining the appropriateness of such long-term rate of return assumption, we considered, among other things, the historical rates of return for the CMRT, the current and projected asset mix of the CMRT and the investment objectives of the CMRT’s managers. During the 20-year history of the CMRT from its inception in 1987 through December 31, 2008, the average annual rate of return has been 11%.

Our pension plan weighted average asset allocations by asset category were as follows:

	December 31, 2008
	CMRT			Germany			Canada			Norway

Equity securities and limited partnerships		53	%		24	%		53	%		14	%
Fixed income securities		43			52			39			83
Real estate		-			12			-			-
Cash, cash equivalents and other		4			12			8			3

Total		100	%		100	%		100	%		100	%

	December 31, 2007
	CMRT			Germany			Canada			Norway

Equity securities and limited partnerships		98	%		28	%		60	%		18	%
Fixed income securities		-			49			34			68
Real estate		2			12			-			-
Cash, cash equivalents and other		-			11			6			14

Total		100	%		100	%		100	%		100	%

We regularly review our actual asset allocation for each of our plans, and periodically rebalance the investments in each plan to more accurately reflect the targeted allocation when we consider it appropriate.

Postretirement benefits other than pensions (“OPEB”). We provide certain health care and life insurance benefits for eligible retired employees. Certain of our Canadian employees may become eligible for such postretirement health care and life insurance benefits if they reach retirement age while working for us. In 1989 we began phasing out such benefits for active U.S. employees over a ten-year period and U.S. employees retiring after 1998 are not entitled to any such benefits. The majority of all retirees are required to contribute a portion of the cost of their benefits and certain current and future retirees are eligible for reduced health care benefits at age 65. We use a December 31 measurement date for our OPEB plans. We have no OPEB plan assets, rather, we fund medical claims as they are paid. Benefit payments to OPEB plans are expected to be the equivalent of:


Years ending December 31,	Amount
	(In millions)
2009	$	.7
2010		.6
2011		.6
2012		.6
2013		.5
Next 5 years		2.5

The funded status of our OPEB plans is presented in the table below:

	Years ended December 31,
	2007			2008
	(In millions)

Change in accumulated OPEB obligations:
Obligations at beginning of the year	$	10.8		$	12.4
Service cost		.3			.3
Interest cost		.7			.7
Actuarial gains		(.2	)		(1.9	)
Plan amendments		(.1	)		-
Change in foreign currency exchange rates		1.3			(1.7	)
Benefits paid from employer contributions		(.4	)		(.4	)

Obligations at end of the year		12.4			9.4

Fair value of plan assets		-			-

Funded status	$	(12.4	)	$	(9.4	)

Amounts recognized in the balance sheet:
Current accrued pension costs	$	(.8	)	$	(.7	)
Noncurrent accrued pension costs		(11.6	)		(8.7	)

Total	$	(12.4	)	$	(9.4	)

Accumulated other comprehensive income:
Net actuarial losses	$	.3		$	(1.4	)
Prior service credit		(.9	)		(.7	)

Total	$	(.6	)	$	(2.1	)

The amounts shown in the table above for actuarial losses and prior service credit at December 31, 2007 and 2008 have not yet been recognized as components of our periodic OPEB cost as of those dates. These amounts will be recognized as components of our periodic OPEB cost in future years. In accordance with SFAS No. 158, these amounts, net of deferred income taxes, are now recognized in our accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). We expect to recognize approximately $.2 million of prior service credit as a component of our periodic OPEB cost in 2009.

The table below details the changes in benefit obligations recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) during 2007 and 2008.

	Years Ended December 31,
	2007			2008
	(In millions)
Changes in benefit obligations recognized in other comprehensive income:
Current year:
Net actuarial gain	$	.2		$	1.6
Plan amendment		.1			-
Amortization of unrecognized:
Prior service credit		(.2	)		.2
Net actuarial losses		.1			(.1	)

Total	$	.2		$	1.7

At December 31, 2008, the accumulated OPEB obligations for all OPEB plans was comprised of $2.9 million related to U.S. plans and $6.5 million related to our Canadian plan (2007 - $3.4 million and $9.0 million, respectively).

The components of our periodic OPEB costs are presented in the table below. The amounts shown below for amortization of prior service credit and recognized actuarial losses, net of deferred income taxes, were recognized as components of our accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) at December 31, 2006 and 2007.

	Years ended December 31,
	2006			2007			2008
	(In millions)

Net periodic OPEB cost (credit):
Service cost	$	.3		$	.3		$	.3
Interest cost		.6			.7			.7
Amortization of prior service credit		(.2	)		(.2	)		(.2	)
Recognized actuarial losses		.1			.1			.1

Total	$	.8		$	.9		$	.9

A summary of our key actuarial assumptions used to determine the net benefit obligation as of December 31, 2007 and 2008 are presented in the table below. The weighted average discount rate was determined using the projected benefit obligation as of such dates. The impact of assumed increases in future compensation levels does not have a material effect on the actuarial present value of the benefit obligation as substantially all of such benefits relate solely to eligible retirees, for which compensation is not applicable.

	2007	2008

Healthcare inflation:
Initial rate	8.5%	8.0%
Ultimate rate	5.5%	5.5%
Year of ultimate rate achievement	2014	2015
Weighted average discount rate	6.2%	6.5%

	1% Increase			1% Decrease
	(In millions)

Effect on net OPEB cost during 2008	$	(.2	)	$	.2
Effect at December 31, 2008 on postretirement obligation		(1.2	)		.9

The weighted average discount rate used in determining the net periodic OPEB cost for 2008 was 6.2% (2007 – 5.8%; 2006 – 5.6%). Such weighted average rate was determined using the projected benefit obligation as of the beginning of each year. The impact of assumed increases in future compensation levels does not have a material effect on the net periodic OPEB cost as substantially all of such benefits relate solely to eligible retirees, for which compensation is not applicable. The impact of assumed rate of return on plan assets also does not have a material affect on the net periodic OPEB cost as there were no plan assets as of December 31, 2007 or 2008.

Variances from actuarially-assumed rates will result in additional increases or decreases in accumulated OPEB obligations, net periodic OPEB cost and funding requirements in future periods.

The Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003 provides a federal subsidy to sponsors of retiree health care benefit plans that provide a benefit that is at least actuarially equivalent to Medicare Part D. We are eligible for the federal subsidy. We account for the effect of this subsidy prospectively from the date we determined actuarial equivalence. The subsidy did not have a material impact on the applicable accumulated postretirement benefit obligation, and will not have a material impact on the net periodic OPEB cost going forward.

Note 11 – Other noncurrent liabilities:

	December 31,
	2007		2008
	(In millions)

Reserve for uncertain tax positions	$	14.9	$	13.1
Employee benefits		8.2		8.9
Insurance claims and expenses		2.3		1.8
Other		6.0		5.0

Total	$	31.4	$	28.8

Note 12 – Common stock compensation and other stock transactions:

NL common stock options held by our employees. Certain of our employees have been granted nonqualified options to purchase NL common stock under the terms of certain option plans sponsored by NL. Generally, the stock options are granted at a price equal to or greater than 100% of the market price of NL's common stock at the date of grant, vest over a five-year period and expire ten years from the date of grant.

At December 31, 2008, our employees held options to purchase approximately 95,000 shares of NL common stock. These options are exercisable at various dates through 2011; 25,000 have exercise prices ranging from $2.66 to $5.63 per share and 70,000 have an exercise price of $11.49 per share.

At December 31, 2008, all of the outstanding options were exercisable, with an aggregate intrinsic value (defined as the excess of the market price of NL’s common stock over the exercise price) of $.3 million. All of the outstanding options had exercise prices less than NL’s December 31, 2008 quoted market price of $13.40 per share. Outstanding options at December 31, 2008 expire at various dates through 2011.

The intrinsic value of these NL options that were exercised aggregated $.1 million in 2006 and nil in 2007 and 2008 and the related income tax benefit from such exercises was, less than $.1 million in 2006 and nil in 2007 and 2008.

Long-term incentive compensation plan. We have a long-term incentive compensation plan that provides for the discretionary grant of, among other things, qualified incentive stock options, nonqualified stock options, restricted common stock, stock awards and stock appreciation rights. Up to 150,000 shares of our common stock may be issued pursuant to this plan. As of December 31, 2008, no options had been granted pursuant to this plan, and 133,000 shares were available for future grants. During each of 2006, 2007 and 2008, we awarded an aggregate of 3,500 shares of our common stock pursuant to this plan to members of our board of directors.

Note 13 - Related party transactions:

We may be deemed to be controlled by Harold C. Simmons. See Note 1. Corporations that may be deemed to be controlled by or affiliated with Mr. Simmons sometimes engage in (a) intercorporate transactions such as guarantees, management and expense sharing arrangements, shared fee arrangements, joint ventures, partnerships, loans, options, advances of funds on open account, and sales, leases and exchanges of assets, including securities issued by both related and unrelated parties and (b) common investment and acquisition strategies, business combinations, reorganizations, recapitalizations, securities repurchases, and purchases and sales (and other acquisitions and dispositions) of subsidiaries, divisions or other business units, which transactions have involved both related and unrelated parties and have included transactions which resulted in the acquisition by one related party of a publicly-held minority equity interest in another related party. While no transactions of the type described above are planned or proposed with respect to us other than as set forth in these financial statements, we continuously consider, review and evaluate, and understand that Contran and related entities consider, review and evaluate such transactions. Depending upon the business, tax and other objectives then relevant, it is possible that we might be a party to one or more such transactions in the future.

Current receivables from and payables to affiliates are summarized in the table below.

	December 31,
	2007		2008
	(In millions)

Current receivables from affiliate:
Income taxes receivable from Valhi	$	2.7	$	1.2
Other		.2		.2

Total	$	2.9	$	1.4

Current payables to affiliates:
LPC	$	11.3	$	14.3
Income taxes payable to Valhi		-	.4

Total	$	11.3	$	14.7

Noncurrent note payable to NL	$	-	$	19.2

Amounts payable to LPC are generally for the purchase of TiO2 (see Note 6). Purchases of TiO2 from LPC were $124.2 million in 2006, $124.6 million in 2007, and $140.3 million in 2008.

From time to time, companies related to Contran will have loans and advances outstanding between them and various related parties pursuant to term and a demand notes. These loans and advances are generally entered into for cash management purpose, in which the lender is generally able to earn a higher rate of return on the loan than would have been earned if the lender invested the funds in other investments, and the borrower is able to pay a lower rate of interest than would be paid if the borrow had incurred third-party indebtedness. While certain of these loans may be of a lesser credit quality than cash equivalent instruments otherwise available to the lender, the lender will evaluate the credit risks involved and appropriately reflect those credit risks in the terms of the applicable loan. In this regard, in October 2008 the independent members of the Board of Directors of both us and NL approved terms for us borrowing up to $40 million from NL. See Note 8.

Under the terms of various intercorporate services agreements ("ISAs") entered into between us and various related parties, including Contran, employees of one company will provide certain management, tax planning, financial and administrative services to the other company on a fee basis. Such charges are based upon estimates of the time devoted by the employees of the provider of the services to the affairs of the recipient, and the compensation and associated expenses of such persons. Because of the large number of companies affiliated with Contran, we believe we benefit from cost savings and economies of scale gained by not having certain management, financial and administrative staffs duplicated at each entity, thus allowing certain individuals to provide services to multiple companies but only be compensated by one entity. The net ISA fee charged to us, approved by the independent members of our board of directors, is included in selling, general and administrative expense and corporate expense and was $6.3 million in 2006, $6.5 million in 2007, and $6.8 million in 2008.

Tall Pines Insurance Company, and EWI RE, Inc. provide for or broker certain insurance policies for Contran and certain of its subsidiaries and affiliates, including ourselves. Tall Pines and EWI are subsidiaries of Valhi. Consistent with insurance industry practices, Tall Pines and EWI receive commissions from insurance and reinsurance underwriters and/or assess fees for the policies that they provide or broker. The aggregate premiums paid to Tall Pines and EWI by us and our joint venture were $8.2 million in 2006, $6.9 million in 2007, and $7.0 million in 2008. These amounts principally included payments for insurance and reinsurance premiums paid to third parties, but also included commissions paid to Tall Pines and EWI. Tall Pines purchases reinsurance for substantially all of the risks it underwrites. We expect that these relationships with Tall Pines and EWI will continue in 2009.

Contran and certain of its subsidiaries and affiliates, including us, purchase certain of their insurance policies as a group, with the costs of the jointly-owned policies being apportioned among the participating companies. With respect to certain of such policies, it is possible that unusually large losses incurred by one or more insureds during a given policy period could leave the other participating companies without adequate coverage under that policy for the balance of the policy period. As a result, Contran and certain of its subsidiaries and affiliates, including us, have entered into a loss sharing agreement under which any uninsured loss is shared by those entities who have submitted claims under the relevant policy. We believe the benefits, in the form of reduced premiums and broader coverage associated with the group coverage for such policies, justifies the risk associated with the potential for any uninsured loss.

Note 14 - Commitments and contingencies:

Environmental matters. Our operations are governed by various environmental laws and regulations. Certain of our operations are and have been engaged in the handling, manufacture or use of substances or compounds that may be considered toxic or hazardous within the meaning of applicable environmental laws and regulations. As with other companies engaged in similar businesses, certain of our past and current operations and products have the potential to cause environmental or other damage. We have implemented and continue to implement various policies and programs in an effort to minimize these risks. Our policy is to maintain compliance with applicable environmental laws and regulations at all of our facilities and to strive to improve our environmental performance. From time to time, we may be subject to environmental regulatory enforcement under U.S. and foreign statutes, resolution of which typically involves the establishment of compliance programs. It is possible that future developments, such as stricter requirements of environmental laws and enforcement policies thereunder, could adversely affect our production, handling, use, storage, transportation, sale or disposal of such substances. We believe all of our plants are in substantial compliance with applicable environmental laws.

Litigation matters. We are involved in various environmental, contractual, product liability, patent (or intellectual property), employment and other claims and disputes incidental to our business. We currently believe the disposition of all claims and disputes, individually or in the aggregate, should not have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial condition, results of operations or liquidity.

Concentrations of credit risk. Sales of TiO2 accounted for approximately 90% of our sales during each of the past three years. The remaining sales result from the mining and sale of ilmenite ore (a raw material used in the sulfate pigment production process), and the manufacture and sale of iron-based water treatment chemicals and certain titanium chemical products (derived from co-products of the TiO2 production processes). TiO2 is generally sold to the paint, plastics and paper industries. Such markets are generally considered “quality-of-life” markets whose demand for TiO2 is influenced by the relative economic well-being of the various geographic regions. We sell TiO2 to over 4,000 customers, with the top ten customers approximating 28% of net sales in 2006 and 27% of net sales in 2007 and 2008. We did not have sales to a single customer of over 10% in any of the previous three years. By volume, approximately one-half of our TiO2 sales were to Europe in each of the past three years and approximately 36% in 2006 and 34% in 2007 and 2008 were attributable to North America.

Long-term contracts. We have long-term supply contracts that provide for our TiO2 feedstock requirements through 2011. The agreements require us to purchase certain minimum quantities of feedstock with minimum purchase commitments aggregating approximately $505 million at December 31, 2008. In addition, we have other long-term supply and service contracts that provide for various raw materials and services through 2014. These agreements require us to purchase certain minimum quantities or services with minimum purchase commitments aggregating approximately $113 million at December 31, 2008.

Operating leases. Our principal German operating subsidiary leases the land under its Leverkusen TiO2 production facility pursuant to a lease with Bayer AG that expires in 2050. The Leverkusen facility itself, which we own and which represents approximately one-third of our current TiO2 production capacity, is located within Bayer's extensive manufacturing complex. We periodically establish the amount of rent for the land lease associated with the Leverkusen facility by agreement with Bayer for periods of at least two years at a time. The lease agreement provides for no formula, index or other mechanism to determine changes in the rent for such land lease; rather, any change in the rent is subject solely to periodic negotiation between Bayer and ourselves. We recognize any change in the rent based on such negotiations as part of lease expense starting from the time such change is agreed upon by both parties, as any such change in the rent is deemed “contingent rentals” under GAAP. Under a separate supplies and services agreement expiring in 2011, the lessor provides some raw materials, including chlorine, auxiliary and operating materials, utilities and services necessary to operate the Leverkusen facility.

We also lease various other manufacturing facilities and equipment. Some of the leases contain purchase and/or various term renewal options at fair market and fair rental values, respectively. In most cases we expect that, in the normal course of business, such leases will be renewed or replaced by other leases. Net rent expense approximated $11 million in 2006 and 2007, and $12 million in 2008. At December 31, 2008, future minimum payments under noncancellable operating leases having an initial or remaining term of more than one year were as follows:

Years ending December 31,	Amount
	(In millions)

2009	$	5.5
2010		4.1
2011		2.8
2012		2.2
2013		1.7
2014 and thereafter		18.9

Total	$	35.2

Approximately $22 million of the $35.2 million aggregate future minimum rental commitments at December 31, 2008 relates to our Leverkusen facility lease discussed above. The minimum commitment amounts for such lease included in the table above for each year through the 2050 expiration of the lease are based upon the current annual rental rate as of December 31, 2008. As discussed above, any change in the rent is based solely on negotiations between Bayer and ourselves, and any such change in the rent is deemed “contingent rentals” under GAAP which is excluded from the future minimum lease payments disclosed above.

Income taxes. We and Valhi have agreed to a policy providing for the allocation of tax liabilities and tax payments as described in Note 1. Under applicable law, we, along with every other member of the Contran Tax Group, are each jointly and severally liable for the aggregate federal income tax liability of Contran and the other companies included in the Contran Tax Group for all periods in which we are included in the Contran Tax Group. Valhi has agreed, however, to indemnify us for any liability for income taxes of the Contran Tax Group in excess of our tax liability previously computed and paid by us in accordance with the tax allocation policy.

Note 15 – Other income:

	Years ended December 31,
	2006		2007		2008
	(In millions)

Business interruption insurance proceeds	$	1.8	$	-	$	-
Other income		.4		1.4		.9

Total	$	2.2	$	1.4	$	.9

We recognized a gain of $1.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2006 for business interruption insurance proceeds we received related to Hurricane Rita. See Note 6.

Note 16 - Financial instruments:

We adopted SFAS No. 157 effective January 1, 2008 for financial assets and liabilities measured on a recurring basis. SFAS No. 157 applies to all financial assets and financial liabilities that are being measured and reported on a fair value basis. SFAS No. 157 establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosure about fair value measurements. The statement requires fair value measurements to be classified and disclosed in one of three categories, see Note 1.

There was no impact for the adoption of SFAS No. 157 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. The following table summarizes the valuation of our short-term investments and financial instruments by the above SFAS No. 157 categories as of December 31, 2008:

	Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2008
	Total			Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1)			Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
	(in millions)

Marketable securities	$	3.5		$	3.5		$	-	$	-

Currency forward contracts		(1.6	)		(1.6	)		-		-

Certain of our sales generated by our non-U.S. operations are denominated in U.S. dollars. We periodically use currency forward contracts to manage a very nominal portion of currency exchange rate risk associated with receivables denominated in a currency other than the holder's functional currency or similar exchange rate risk associated with future sales. We have not entered into these contracts for trading or speculative purposes in the past, nor do we currently anticipate entering into such contracts for trading or speculative purposes in the future. Derivatives used to hedge forecasted transactions and specific cash flows associated with foreign currency denominated financial assets and liabilities which meet the criteria for hedge accounting are designated as cash flow hedges. Consequently, the effective portion of gains and losses is deferred as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income and is recognized in earnings at the time the hedged item affects earnings. Contracts that do not meet the criteria for hedge accounting are marked-to-market at each balance sheet date with any resulting gain or loss recognized in income currently as part of net currency transactions. During 2007 and 2008, we have not used hedge accounting for any of our contracts. We held no such currency forward contracts at December 31, 2007 and held no other significant derivative contracts at December 31, 2007 or 2008. In the fourth quarter of 2008 we entered into a series of currency forward contracts. The fair value of the currency forward contracts is determined using Level 1 inputs as defined in SFAS No. 157 based on the foreign currency spot forward rates quoted by banks. At December 31, 2008 we had currency forward contracts to exchange:

an aggregate $57 million for an equivalent value of Norwegian kroner at exchange rates ranging from kroner 6.91 to kroner 7.18. These contracts with DnB Nor Bank ASA mature from January 2009 through December 2009 at a rate of $.5 million to $2.5 million per month. At December 31, 2008, the actual exchange rate was kroner 7.0 per U.S. dollar.

an aggregate euro 16.4 million for an equivalent value of Norwegian Kroner at exchange rates ranging from kroner 8.64 to kroner 9.23. These contracts with DnB Nor Bank ASA mature from January 2009 through December 2009 at a rate of euro .5 million to euro .7 million per month. At December 31, 2008, the actual exchange rate was kroner 9.7 per euro.

The estimated fair value of such foreign currency forward contracts at December 31, 2008 was a $1.6 million net liability, of which $1.3 million is recognized as part of Prepaid Expenses and $2.9 million is recognized as part of Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities in our Consolidated Balance Sheet and a corresponding $1.6 million foreign currency transaction loss in our Consolidated Statement of Operations.

The following table presents the financial instruments that are not carried at fair value but which require fair value disclosure as of December 31, 2007 and 2008.

	December 31,				December 31,
	2007				2008
	Carrying Amount		Fair Value		Carrying Amount		Fair Value
	(In millions)

Cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash	$	74.0	$	74.0	$	15.1	$	15.1

Notes payable and long-term debt:
Fixed rate with market quotes -
6.5% Senior Secured Notes	$	585.5	$	507.7	$	560.0	$	129.4
U.S. Bank credit facility		15.4		15.4		13.7		13.7
European credit facility		-		-		42.2		42.2
Revolving note with NL		-		-		19.2		19.2
Common stockholders’ equity		411.0		854.3		317.9		570.4

At December 31, 2007 and 2008, the estimated market price of the 6.5% Notes was approximately euro 860 and euro 230 per euro 1,000 principal amount, respectively. Fair value of our restricted marketable debt securities and the fair value of our common stockholders’ equity are based upon quoted market prices at each balance sheet date, which represent Level 1 inputs as defined by SFAS No. 157, Fair Value Measurements. The fair value of our 6.5% Notes are also based on quoted market prices at each balance sheet date; however, these quoted market prices represent Level 2 inputs as defined by SFAS No. 157 because the markets in which the Notes trade are not active. See Notes 1 and 17.

Note 17 – Recent accounting pronouncements:

Fair Value Measurements. In September 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued SFAS No. 157, Fair Value Measurements, which became effective for us on January 1, 2008. SFAS No. 157 generally provides a consistent, single fair value definition and measurement techniques for GAAP pronouncements. SFAS No. 157 also establishes a fair value hierarchy for different measurement techniques based on the objective nature of the inputs in various valuation methods. In February 2008, the FASB issued FSP No. FAS 157-2, Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 157 which delays the provisions of SFAS No. 157 until January 1, 2009 for all nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities, except those that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis (at least annually). Beginning with our first quarter 2008 filing, all of our fair value measurements are in compliance with SFAS No. 157, except for such nonfinancial assets and liabilities for which we will be required to be in compliance with SFAS No. 157 prospectively beginning in the first quarter of 2009. The adoption of this standard did not have a material effect on our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Fair Value Option. In the first quarter of 2007 the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities. SFAS No. 159 permits companies to choose, at specified election dates, to measure eligible items at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses included in the determination of net income. The decision to elect the fair value option is generally applied on an instrument-by-instrument basis, is irrevocable unless a new election date occurs, and is applied to the entire instrument and not only to specified risks or cash flows or a portion of the instrument. Items eligible for the fair value option include recognized financial assets and liabilities, other than an investment in a consolidated subsidiary, defined benefit pension plans, OPEB plans, leases and financial instruments classified in equity. An investment accounted for by the equity method is an eligible item. The specified election dates include the date the company first recognizes the eligible item, the date the company enters into an eligible commitment, the date an investment first becomes eligible to be accounted for by the equity method and the date SFAS No. 159 first becomes effective for us. SFAS No. 159 became effective for us on January 1, 2008. We did not elect to measure any eligible items at fair value in accordance with this new standard either at the date we adopted the new standard or subsequently during 2008; therefore the adoption of this standard did not have a material effect on our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Derivative Disclosures. In March 2008 the FASB issued SFAS No. 161, Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, an Amendment of FASB Statement No. 133. SFAS No. 161 changes the disclosure requirements for derivative instruments and hedging activities to provide enhanced disclosures about how and why we use derivative instruments, how derivative instruments and related hedged items are accounted for under SFAS No. 133 and how derivative instruments and related hedged items affect our financial position and performance and cash flows. This statement will become effective for us in the first quarter of 2009. We periodically use currency forward contracts to manage a portion of our currency exchange rate market risk associated with trade receivables or future sales. Because our prior disclosures regarding these forward contracts have substantially met all of the applicable disclosure requirements of the new standard, we do not believe the enhanced disclosure requirements of this new standard will have a significant effect on our Consolidated Financial Statements. See Note 16.

Uncertain Tax Positions. On January 1, 2007, we adopted FIN 48, Accounting for Uncertain Tax Positions. FIN 48 clarifies when and how much of a benefit we can recognize in our consolidated financial statements for certain positions taken in our income tax returns under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes, and enhances the disclosure requirements for our income tax policies and reserves. Among other things, FIN 48 prohibits us from recognizing the benefits of a tax position unless we believe it is more-likely-than-not our position will prevail with the applicable tax authorities and limits the amount of the benefit to the largest amount for which we believe the likelihood of realization is greater than 50%. FIN 48 also requires companies to accrue penalties and interest on the difference between tax positions taken on their tax returns and the amount of benefit recognized for financial reporting purposes under the new standard. We are required to classify any future reserves for uncertain tax positions in a separate current or noncurrent liability, depending on the nature of the tax position.

Upon adoption of FIN 48 on January 1, 2007, we increased our existing reserve for uncertain tax positions, which we previously classified as part of our deferred income taxes, from $14.1 million to $16.3 million and accounted for such $2.2 million increase as a reduction of retained earnings in accordance with the transition provisions of the new standard.

We accrue interest and penalties on our uncertain tax positions as a component of our provision for income taxes. The amount of interest and penalties we accrued during 2007 and 2008 was not material, and at December 31, 2007 and December 31, 2008 we had $3.0 million and $2.7 million, respectively, accrued for interest and penalties for our uncertain tax positions.

The following table shows the changes in the amount of our uncertain tax positions (exclusive of the effect of interest and penalties) during 2007 and 2008:

	Year Ended December 31,
	2007			2008
	(In millions)
Changes in unrecognized tax benefits:
Unrecognized tax benefits at beginning ofyear	$	12.6		$	11.9
Net increase (decrease):
Tax positions taken in prior periods		(1.9	)		(1.1	)
Tax positions taken in current period		2.2			1.8
Settlements with taxing authorities – cash paid		(.3	)		(.1	)
Lapse of applicable statute of limitations		(1.7	)		(.7	)
Change in foreign currency exchange rates		1.0			(1.4	)

Unrecognized tax benefits at end of year	$	11.9		$	10.4

If our uncertain tax positions were recognized, a benefit of $14.9 million and $13.1 million would affect our effective income tax rates from continuing operations for 2007 and 2008, respectively. We currently estimate that our unrecognized tax benefits will not change materially during the next twelve months.

We file income tax returns in various U.S. federal, state and local jurisdictions. We also file income tax returns in various foreign jurisdictions, principally in Germany, Canada, Belgium and Norway. Our domestic income tax returns prior to 2005 are generally considered closed to examination by applicable tax authorities. Our foreign income tax returns are generally considered closed to examination for years prior to 2004 for Germany, 2003 for Belgium and Canada and 1999 for Norway.

Benefit Plan Asset Disclosures. During the fourth quarter of 2008, the FASB issued FSP SFAS 132 (R)-1, Employers’ Disclosures about Postretirement Benefit Plan Assets, which amends SFAS No. 87, 88 and 106 to require expanded disclosures about employers’ pension plan assets. FSP 132 (R)-1 will be effective for us beginning with our 2009 annual report, and we will provide the expanded disclosures about our pension plan assets at that time.

Note 18 - Quarterly results of operations (unaudited):

	Quarter ended
	_March 31_			_June 30_		September 30			December 31
	(In millions, except per share data)

Year ended December 31, 2007
Net sales	$	314.0		$	342.6	$	343.3		$	310.4
Gross margin		70.4			63.6		66.9			50.5

Net income (loss)		12.9			-		(81.2	)		1.6
Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per common share	$	.26		$	-	$	(1.66	)	$	.03

Year ended December 31, 2008
Net sales	$	332.5		$	391.9	$	345.6		$	246.9
Gross margin		57.1			59.2		50.4			53.9

Net income (loss)		(.4	)		5.8		(3.6	)		7.2
Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per common share	$	(.01	)	$	.12	$	(.07	)	$	.15

In the third quarter of 2007, we recognized a $91.0 million tax charge for a change in the German tax rates, see Note 9. In the fourth quarter of 2007 we determined that a liability established in 1992 was no longer necessary. Therefore, net income for the fourth quarter of 2007 includes $.8 million ($.5 million net of income tax), or $.01 per diluted share related to the reversal of this non current liability.

In the second quarter of 2008, we recognized a $7.2 million income tax benefit related to a favorable resolution of certain income tax issues in Germany. See Note 9. In the fourth quarter of 2008, we recognized a $6.9 million adjustment ($4.8 million, net of income taxes) in connection with the correction of our pension expense previously recognized for 2006 and 2007. See Note 10.

The sum of the quarterly per share amounts may not equal the annual per share amounts due to relative changes in the weighted average number of shares used in the per share computations.

KRONOS WORLDWIDE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

SCHEDULE I - CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT

Condensed Balance Sheets

(In millions)

	December 31,
	2007		2008

Current assets:
Receivables from subsidiary	$	13.9	$	19.9
Prepaid expenses		.3		.3

Total current assets		14.2		20.2

Other assets:
Investment in subsidiaries		668.6		594.0
Other		.5		2.4

Total other assets		669.1		596.4

Total assets	$	683.3	$	616.6

Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	$	.1	$	.2
Payable to affiliate and subsidiary		28.7		40.8

Total current liabilities		28.8		41.0

Noncurrent liabilities:
Notes payable to subsidiary		240.0		229.3
Interest payable to subsidiary		-		5.4
Note payable to NL Industries, Inc.		-		19.2
Deferred income taxes		3.5		3.8

Total noncurrent liabilities		243.5		257.7


Stockholders’ equity		411.0		317.9

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	683.3	$	616.6

The accompanying Notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

KRONOS WORLDWIDE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

SCHEDULE I - CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT (Continued)

Condensed Statements of Operations

(In millions)

	Years ended December 31,
	2006		2007			2008

Revenues and other income:
Equity in earnings (loss) of subsidiaries	$	96.9	$	(57.4	)	$	25.1
Interest income from affiliates		.6		.1			-
Other income		.8		5.6			-

Total revenues and other income		98.3		(51.7	)		25.1

Costs and expenses:
General and administrative		2.3		2.5			2.8
Intercompany interest and other		18.8		20.6			22.3
Other expense		.2		-			-

Total costs and expenses		21.3		23.1			25.1

Income (loss) before income taxes		77.0		(74.8	)		-

Income tax benefit		5.0		8.1			9.0

Net income (loss)	$	82.0	$	(66.7	)	$	9.0

The accompanying Notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

KRONOS WORLDWIDE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

SCHEDULE I - CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT (Continued)

Condensed Statements of Cash Flows

(In millions)

	Years ended December 31,
	2006			2007			2008

Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss)	$	82.0		$	(66.7	)	$	9.0
Cash distributions from subsidiaries		50.1			34.9			35.1
Deferred income taxes		1.9			(2.1	)		(.3	)
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries		(96.9	)		57.4			(25.1	)
Other, net		.4			(.6	)		.1
Net change in assets and liabilities		(5.0	)		20.3			11.4

Net cash provided by operating activities		32.5			43.2			30.2

Cash flows from investing activities:
Loans to affiliates		(32.7	)		-			-
Collections of loans to affiliates		49.4			5.9			-
Other, net		(.3	)		(.2	)		(.4	)

Net cash provided (used) by investing activities		16.4			5.7			(.4	)

Cash flows from financing activities:
Loan from NL Industries, Inc.		-			-			19.2
Dividends paid		(49.0	)		(49.0	)		(49.0	)

Net cash used by financing activities:		(49.0	)		(49.0	)		(29.8	)

Net change during the year from operating, investing and financing activities		(.1	)		(.1	)		-

Balance at beginning of year		.2			.1			-

Balance at end of year	$	.1		$	-		$	-

The accompanying Notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

KRONOS WORLDWIDE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

SCHEDULE I - CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT (Continued)

Notes to Condensed Financial Information

Note 1 - Basis of presentation:

The accompanying financial statements of Kronos Worldwide, Inc. reflect our investment in majority-owned subsidiaries on the equity method. The Consolidated Financial Statements of Kronos and its majority-owned subsidiaries (the “Company”) and the related Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are incorporated herein by reference.

Note 2 - Receivable from (payable to) subsidiaries and affiliates:

	December 31,
	2007			2008
	(In millions)

Current:
Receivable from:
Kronos Louisiana, Inc. (“KLA”)	$	9.7		$	17.5
Valhi – income taxes		2.7			1.1
KLA – income taxes		1.5			1.3

Total	$	13.9		$	19.9

Payable to:
Kronos (US), Inc. (“KUS”)	$	(28.7	)	$	(40.8	)

Noncurrent:
Payable to KII	$	240.0		$	234.7

Prior to 2006, KII loaned us an aggregate euro 163.1 million ($209.5 million at the borrowing date) instead of paying us cash dividends. The original notes provided for a December 31, 2010 maturity date and required interest to be paid quarterly at an annual rate of 9.25%. Effective October 1, 2008, the terms of these notes were modified to remove the requirements for quarterly interest payments and to extend the maturity date to December 31, 2013, and at December 31, 2008 we had an aggregate of $5.4 million of accrued and unpaid interest on these loans. The notes are unsecured, contain no financial covenants and provide for default only upon our failure to pay any amount when due (subject to a short grace period). Due to the long-term investment nature of these notes, settlement of the principal and accrued interest balance of the notes is not contemplated within the foreseeable future. We currently expect that settlement of the principal and interest amount of the notes will occur through a capital transaction. We recognize interest expense on such notes as incurred. Until such time as the notes are settled, we will recognize interest expense on the promissory notes.

In October 2008, the independent members of the Board of Directors of both us and NL approved terms for us borrowing up to $40 million from NL. Our borrowings from NL under the revolving note will be unsecured, bear interest at prime rate minus 1.5% (1.759% at December 31, 2008) with all principal due on demand (and no later than December 31, 2009). The amount of the outstanding borrowings at any time is solely at the discretion of NL. We intend to use any borrowings from NL to reduce the outstanding balance under our U.S. revolving bank credit facility. At December 31, 2008 we had borrowings of $19.2 million outstanding under this revolving note with NL.

Note 3 – Investment in subsidiaries:

	December 31,
	2007		2008
	(In millions)

Investment in:
KLA	$	185.0	$	178.4
KC		92.7		63.8
KII		390.9		351.8

Total	$	668.6	$	594.0

	2006		2007			2008
	(In millions)

Equity in earnings (loss) from continuing operations of subsidiaries:
KLA	$	17.5	$	12.1		$	12.8
KC		5.0		(11.8	)		(11.7	)
KII		74.4		(57.7	)		24.0

Total	$	96.9	$	(57.4	)	$	25.1