<PAGE>


                                                                      Exhibit 23


INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT

We consent to the incorporation by reference in Registration Statement Nos.
33-44449, 33-48841, 333-51354 and 333-61976 of Applied Extrusion Technologies,
Inc. on Form S-8 of our report dated November 20, 2001, appearing in this Annual
Report on Form 10-K of Applied Extrusion Technologies, Inc. for the year ended
September 30, 2001.


/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP
Boston, Massachusetts
December 17, 2001

