Valhi, Inc is a Delaware corporation that has operations through majority-owned subsidiaries or less than majority-owned affiliates. Valhi’s common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “VHI.” See the disclosure in Valhi’s latest Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Report on Form 10Q and Proxy Statement (see the SEC Filings section of this website) for a recent description of Valhi’s operations and ownership structure.Valhi Inc. is considered a controlled company under the listing standards of the New York Stock Exchange. Pursuant to the listing standards, a controlled company may choose not to have a majority of independent directors, independent compensation, nominating or corporate governance committees or charters for these committees. Valhi has chosen not to have a majority of independent directors or an independent nominating or corporate governance committee.

Unifrax is a leading producer of high temperature insulation products for a wide variety of industrial applications. Since 1942, Unifrax high temperature insulation products have been providing heat management solutions in a wide range of markets. Consider our Fiberfrax® ceramic fiber product line, revolutionary Insulfrax®, and Isofrax® soluble fiber products, and our other high performance high temperature insulation products.Unifrax commitment to the high temperature insulation market is evident, with over 50 product forms, including bulk fiber, blankets, boards, modules, papers and felts, woven textiles, ropes and braids, coatings and mixes, and accessory products. Unifrax fiber products are used to solve application problems in the ferrous and non-ferrous metals, industrial chemicals, petroleum products, power generation, ceramic, glass, automotive, fire protection, aerospace, appliance and other industries.

Little Sioux Corn Processors operates an ethanol plant in northwest Iowa. (It actually owns a 60% interest in the limited partnership that owns the ethanol facility.) The company converts bushels of corn into ethanol, distiller grains (used as feed for the dairy and beef industries), and corn oil. Ethanol is used as an additive to gasoline as well as a fuel enhancer for high-octane motors, and it burns more cleanly than normal gasoline thereby reducing carbon monoxide emissions. Little Sioux's production capacity is about 90 million gallons of ethanol annually, more than double its orginal capacity after successive expansions.

Petrochem Carless wants to keep drivers from having to do without their vehicle. The company offers products such as antifreeze, brake fluids, de-icers, and racing fuels. It also supplies chemical solvents such as alcohols, amines, and esters. Petrochem Carless is one of the top European refiners and distributors of specialty hydrocarbons and advanced automotive fluids, as well as a leading supplier of drilling fluids. It was formed in 2000 when Petrochem bought Carless (which traces its history back to 1859) from Spanish giant Repsol and merged the two companies' operations. The company underwent a management buyout (backed by Lloyds Banking Group) in 2005, and Lloyds offered to buy it outright in 2010.

Innospec Inc. engages in the development, manufacture, blending, and marketing of fuel additives and other specialty chemicals to oil refineries, and other chemical and industrial companies worldwide. The company operates in three segments: Fuel Specialties, Active Chemicals, and Octane Additives. The Fuel Specialties segment develops, manufactures, blends, and markets a range of specialty chemical products used as additives to various fuels. Its products are used in the operation of automotive, marine and aviation engines, power station generators, and heating and diesel particulate filter systems. The Active Chemicals segment provides technology-based solutions for the personal care; household, industrial, and institutional; and fragrance ingredients markets. The Octane Additives segment produces tetra ethyl lead for use in automotive gasoline. Its environmental remediation business assists customers to manage the clean up of the associated redundant plants. The company was formerly known as Octel Corp. and changed its name to Innospec Inc. in January 2006. The company was founded in 1938 and is headquartered in Newark, Delaware. Innospec Inc. (NasdaqNM: IOSP) operates independently of Great Lakes Chemical Corporation as of May 22, 1998.

BASF Coatings is the paints and coatings division of the world's largest chemicals company, BASF, and is, fittingly, one of the top coatings companies worldwide. The company produces a range of automaker coatings, automotive refinishes, and industrial coatings. It also produces decorative paints for the European and South American markets. BASF Coatings is one of the world's leading manufacturers of automotive and industrial lacquer. It also ranks among the top three global leaders for automotive OEM coatings. Brand names include Glasurit, R-M, and Salcomix. For its industrial coatings, the company focuses on coil, foil, and powder coatings.

If people turn to Bayer for what ails them, why can't plants? Bayer CropScience, a part of German chemicals and pharmaceuticals giant the Bayer Group, is a leading producer of agricultural chemicals. The company's Crop Protection unit makes fungicides, herbicides, and insecticides. Bayer CropScience also operates units that focus on non-crop chemicals (such as consumer lawn care products) and genetically modified seeds. The company ranks as the #2 crop protection firm worldwide, behind Syngenta, and operates on six continents. It has been building up both its seeds business and bioscience unit in the last years of the decade.

Detrex Corporation and its subsidiaries manufacture and sell products used in the industrial manufacturing and commercial construction industries in the United States and internationally. The company’s principal products include specialty chemicals, including lubricant additives and high purity hydrochloric acid; and PVC and CPVC plastic pipe, duct, and shapes. It manufactures lubricant additives, which are used for enhancing the properties of hydraulic oils, metalworking fluids, gear oils, and greases; high purity hydrochloric acid for semiconductor specifications and pharmaceutical manufacturing applications; and specialty chemicals, including pyrroles.The company also produces corrosion resistant PVC and CPVC thermoplastic extrusions, including industrial piping, duct systems, machining profiles, and other custom extrusions; PVC and CPVC industrial pressure pipe in sizes ranging from 1/8” through 24” diameters; and fire sprinkler pipe, CPVC plumbing piping, ultra pure water piping, low flame and smoke containment piping, and PVC piping products for use in various applications in chemical and industrial processing, high purity, food and beverage, fire protection, micro-electronics, water and waste water, commercial hot and cold water distribution systems, power generation, and aquaculture markets. Its customers include manufacturers of automobiles, lubricants, farm implements, appliances, and ordinance materials; and computers, telecommunications, aerospace, and optical products, as well as commercial and industrial construction industries. Detrex Corporation was founded in 1920 and is headquartered in Southfield, Michigan.

Lenzing AG manufactures cellulose fibers made from beech wood. The company produces about 525,000 tons of textile fibers and nonwoven fibers every year. Its fibers are sold to the textile industry for use in apparel, upholstery, fire hoses, and US military uniforms. Nonwoven fibers are used to make cleaning pads, and wound care and feminine products. Lenzing's plastics division makes thermoplastics, PTFE fibers (Teflon), polymer fibers such as acrylic, and carbon fibers. The company traces its roots back to 1892 as a paper mill in Lenzing, Austria. Lenzing is 85% owned by B&C Holding.

Rex Chemical tackles cleaning up messes of Jurassic proportions. The company makes liquid and powdered janitorial chemicals for the food service, housekeeping, laundry, and industrial markets. Among its products are carpet shampoo, degreasers, disinfectants, floor finish and polishes, soaps, stain and mildew removers, and toilet bowl cleaners. It also sells related cleaning equipment, such as aerosols, dishwashers, dispensers, and vacuums. Rex Chemical's main customers include hospitals and schools. The company is owned and operated by the Granja family, which founded Rex Chemical in 1965.

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