Four types of cellulose, in particular carboxy methyl cellulose (CMC), are tested as potential binding materials in graphitic anodes for lithium ion batteries. It is shown that a minimum content of a cellulose which gives acceptable anode properties (reversible capacity>300 mA h g−1 during the first 10 cycles, irreversible loss<20%) is about 2 wt.%, which is less than in the case of conventional polymeric binders (5–10 wt.%). Kinetics of insertion–deinsertion and passivation processes seem not to be affected by the presence of cellulose. Explanation for the electrode failure at cellulose contents lower than 1 wt.% is given based on X-ray diffraction and microscopy investigations. Finally, the structure (distribution) of cellulose in the composite anode material is discussed and (indirectly) checked with a series of experiments. Most results are compared with the corresponding results obtained either with gelatin or conventional polymeric binders or both.