DUBLIN, Aug 6 (Reuters) - CRH expects the market

for supplementary cementitious materials (SCM), a low-carbon

alternative to cement, to double in the United States by 2050,

the head of the largest building materials producer in the U.S.

said on Wednesday.

CRH CEO Jim Mintern made the comments after the industrial

giant reported a better than expected 9% rise in second quarter

core profit and forecast full-year earnings of $7.5 billion to

$7.7 billion, versus a prior range of $7.3 billion to $7.7

billion.

The Irish-based, U.S.-listed firm, which makes about 75% of

its profit in North America, agreed to acquire U.S. SCM supplier

Eco Material Technologies for $2.1 billion last month to meet

growing demand for the alternative ash-based products.

"In particular what attracted us (to the deal) is that when

you look out in the U.S., we estimate that the SCM market is

going to double between now and 2050," Mintern said.

"This deal puts us right up there in terms of size and

leadership levels in the U.S. (and) gives us a very good growth

platform."

The acquisition will boost CRH's capacity in the 135 million

metric ton U.S. SCM market to about 25 million tons, he added.

CRH is the third largest cement manufacturer in both North

America and Europe.

CRH's second quarter adjusted earnings before interest, tax,

depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) of $2.5 billion were

ahead of the $2.4 billion expected by an average of seven

analysts polled by LSEG SmartEstimate.

Mintern said the increase in the lower end of its full year

guidance range was based on trading in the seasonally important

month of July and a year-on-year increase in the volume and

margins of contracted work across all major U.S. product lines.