Abstract: A carbon containing material for use in particular as an anode of electrolytic cells for the production of aluminum by the electrolysis of alumina in a cryolite-based electrolyte, consists substantially of a mixture of one or more particulate carbonaceous material(s) with a binder based on compounds of aluminum with carbon, oxygen and/or nitrogen, such as aluminum carbide or aluminum oxycarbide, or such compounds mixed with aluminum. This binder is obtained by mixing the particulate carbonaceous material(s) with particulate aluminum and with at least one lithium compound and/or with at least one aluminum compound in a liquid carrier, and heat treating to form the binder. The liquid carrier may comprise a binding agent selected from methyl cellulose, polyvinyl alcohol and colloidal suspensions, in particular colloidal alumina.