SteelOrbis has learned that US plate spot market prices have firmed to an average of $75 cwt. ($1,653/mt or $1,500/nt), FOB mill, against a range of $72-$74 cwt. ($1,587-$1,631/mt or $1,440-$1,480/nt), FOB mill a week ago. Sources close to SteelOrbis note that higher and still-firming prices continue to be driven by factors such as higher input costs and a tightness of availability in spot market tons.