NEW YORK — Alcoa Inc. has broken ground on a $300-million expansion at its Davenport, Iowa, plant.

The expansion of the facility, which produces aluminum sheet and plate for the aerospace and defense, automotive, commercial transportation and industrial markets, is expected to be completed by 2013. It will create an additional 150 full-time jobs at the facility, which will have more than 130 acres under roof once the expansion is completed.

The Iowa Department of Economic Development, which awarded a $3-million incentive package for the project, said previously that the expansion would include the installation of a new heat-treatment line and other finishing equipment (AMM, Sept. 19).

Alcoa said that materials produced at the site will include a pre-treatment process that improves adhesive bonding for vehicle assembly.

The Pittsburgh-based company cited a study by Ducker Worldwide LLC which found that the aluminum content of autos is expected to double to 16 percent by 2025.